Eba Island: Oil-rich territory threatens peace between Ogun and Ondo states

BY ADETOKUNBO ABIOLA

The Molokun of Atijere Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Samuel Olumide Adeoye (Edema I), has threatened to mobilize his subjects and occupy Eba Island if necessary, in order to exercise their constitutional right to protest for the inclusion of his kingdom in all discussions and decisions relating to oil exploration and development on Eba Island.

Oba Adeoye said this while addressing the controversy over the ownership of the oil-rich island, dismissing claims that Eba Island belonged to neighbouring Ogun State, arguing that the territory had long been recognised as part of Ondo State.

Oba Adeoye insisted that ownership of the disputed territory could not be determined until the National Boundary Commission (NBC) completed its boundary delineation between Ondo and Ogun states.

While saying his kingdom supported investment and economic development in the area, he stated that communities under Atijere Kingdom must be recognised as key stakeholders in matters concerning Eba Island, which he insisted was part of Ondo State.

“The ownership controversy only emerged after the discovery of oil. The territory had existed peacefully for decades without any dispute. That place has always been part of Ondo State’s forest reserve,” the monarch said.

Oba Adeoye explained that communities including Ago Alaja, Lugboroko and Ago Balogun, all under Atijere Kingdom, had maintained ancestral and cultural ties to the island for generations, despite the migration of some residents to other parts of Ilaje, including Igbokoda.

The monarch expressed concern over what he described as the exclusion of Atijere Kingdom from key consultations, alleging that project handlers had engaged only a few neighbouring communities while sidelining his people.

He said this was not correct, since the people of Atijere were directly affected by activities on Eba Island and should therefore be fully involved in discussions on oil exploration, land transactions and development projects.

“What we want is for our rights to be respected. We must be recognised as part of the oil-producing community. If any activity is to take place there, those involved must come to Atijere and engage with us,” he said.

To support his position, Oba Adeoye cited previous electoral exercises conducted in the affected communities under Ondo State’s administration, describing them as evidence of the state’s longstanding administrative authority over the area.

He called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), investors and contractors operating on Eba Island to ensure that all adjoining communities are adequately represented in consultations and development initiatives.

The monarch also advised prospective investors to refrain from acquiring land on the island until the National Boundary Commission concluded the boundary determination process.

He warned that Atijere kingdom would not hesitate to organise peaceful demonstrations if the alleged marginalisation continued.

“Nobody has ceded that place to Ogun State. It is the responsibility of the National Boundary Commission to determine the boundary between Ondo and Ogun states,” he said.

The monarch urged the Ogun State Government to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions, stressing that involving all affected kingdoms and host communities in decisions relating to land ownership, oil exploration and development projects would promote peace, fairness and sustainable development.

While noting that the National Boundary Commission had convened meetings involving stakeholders from both states, he said  the dispute remained unresolved, even as he reaffirmed his kingdom’s support for economic development but maintaining that Atijere Kingdom would continue to defend its interests and seek formal recognition as a major stakeholder in the future of Eba Island.