Aiyedatiwa to Abiodun: Eba Island belongs to Ondo
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has affirmed that the disputed Eba Island is part of Ondo State, declaring that the oil-rich territory lies within Ilaje Local Government and remains under
Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has affirmed that the disputed Eba Island is part of Ondo State, declaring that the oil-rich territory lies within Ilaje Local Government and remains under the state’s rightful ownership.
Aiyedatiwa also dismissed opposing claims over the island, stressing that Ondo would not relinquish any portion of its land.
He said this yesterday during the inauguration of a six-kilometre NDDC Road in Igbokoda and the launch of an 8.5-kilometre dual carriageway from College Road through Okoga Junction to Irewole Roundabout in Ilaje Local Government.
The governor noted that oil wells located on the island are Federal Government assets and should be protected by security agencies, particularly Nigeria Navy and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Special Adviser to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, had earlier said Ogun State Government had made some studies and is the owner of Eba Island.
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“What we know is that Eba, the place where oil was discovered in commercial quantity, is in Ogun State, and there have been so many studies even before today.
“According to the Nigerian map and everything, the island is in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of Ogun State,” he said.
Governor Aiyedatiwa said yesterday: “Thank you for affirming that Eba Island is part of Ondo State. Let me say this: they’re not taking our land from us. We are the rightful owners of Eba Island. They are only wobbling. Let me say this- that our oil wells are all Federal Government assets that should be protected by our security agents, more importantly the Navy and NSCDC,” he said.
According to him, ownership of oil-bearing communities is determined through established legal and administrative processes, rather than public debates or social media arguments.
“The location can only be determined not just by history, boundary commission and the community where such oil well is situated, and then the state will be affirmed and the host community will be specified. So, it is not about speaking on social media or trying to address news conferences.’’
The governor maintained that Eba Island is situated around Atijere axis of Ilaje Local Government within Ondo’s territory.
He acknowledged the traditional authority of the Mahin Kingdom, pledging support for the leadership of its paramount ruler, Oba Segun Williams Akinyemi, the Omapetu of Mahin Land, to protect the oil-rich territory of the state.
Aiyedatiwa also called on residents and stakeholders in Ilaje to remain united and work together to sustain peace in the area, noting that communal harmony is vital for development and security.
“The oil well is where it is. Eba Island at Atijere axis of Ilaje Council of Ondo State and the paramount ruler of that kingdom, I am acknowledging him right now. I also appreciate that of the Mahin Kingdom. His imperial Majesty, Oba Segun Williams Akinyemi, the Omapetu of Mahin Land.”
The Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan, pleaded with Governor Aiyedatiwa to look into the controversy trailing the right ownership of the disputed land.
Oba Akinrutan, who repeatedly claimed that Eba Island belonged to Ondo State, said the people of Ilaje are not ready to cede their ancestral land to other parts of the country.
He said: “We have one of our oil wells, which the other state (Ogun) is trying to claim right now. Eba Island is in Ondo State. Ogun State wants to claim it. Your Excellency (Governor Aiyedatiwa), I am behind you. We are going to claim it back.
“In all the Southwest State, we (Ondo) are the only state that have oil in large quantity. People are trying to imitate us. Please take back that Eba Island for us. The oil well is for Ondo State, not Ogun. They’re trying to copy us. They want to have oil well. They can’t have it.”
Recall that Ogun State Government had claimed ownership of the disputed land amid disagreements between the boundary communities between the two states.
The Special Adviser to Governor Abiodun on Media and Strategy, Akinmade, said Ogun State Government has made some studies and is the owner of the island.
“What we know is that Eba, the place where oil was discovered in commercial quantity, is in Ogun State, and there have been so many studies even before today.
“According to the Nigerian map and everything, the area is in Ogun Waterside Local Government of Ogun State,” he said.
Akinmade also dismissed the authority of traditional rulers in determining state boundaries, saying: “It is not about an Oba; it’s about the state government. Is the Oba the state?”
He further argued that oil exploration falls under the exclusive control of the Federal Government, adding: “Is oil on the concurrent or exclusive list? Oil is on the exclusive list. So, anybody can say anything; it’s the Federal Government that has the legal right to oil.”
But in a quick reaction, the Senior Special Assistant on Oil and Gas to Governor Aiyedatiwa, Samson Obazuaye, dismissed claims that the island belonged to Ogun as “false, misleading and capable of generating avoidable tension” among neighbouring communities.
Speaking with reporters after a working visit to the riverine community over the weekend, Obazuaye said the ownership narrative being pushed from across the boundary contradicted historical records and long-standing administrative control.
He specifically aligned the state government’s stance with that of the traditional authority of Ilaje, led by the Amapetu of Mahinland, Dr. Prince Ola Judah Ajidibo Akinyomi, and the lawmaker representing the constituency at the National Assembly, Donald Ojogo.
According to him, the island has for decades been inhabited and governed by Ilaje indigenes through recognised traditional and community institutions, particularly the Atijere structures.
“Eba Island is historically and administratively part of Ilaje land in Ondo State. The island is inhabited by Ilaje people and has long been administered through recognised traditional and community structures,” Obazuaye said.
Oba Akinyomi had earlier maintained that recent reports of oil discovery around the coastal axis should not be used to distort established territorial boundaries, noting that host community participation remained both a legal and moral requirement under the Petroleum Industry Act.
However, Obazuaye stressed that the island had always been populated and managed by Ilaje indigenes through recognised traditional and community institutions.
“Eba Island is historically and administratively part of Ilaje land in Ondo State. The island is inhabited by Ilaje people and has long been administered through the recognised traditional and community structures of Atijere,” the governor’s senior aide added.
He warned that attempts to sideline traditional custodians in exploration or development activities could spark unrest.
According to him, Ilaje community operates under the traditional authority of the Amapetu of Mahin and the Molokun of Atijere, who serve as custodians of the land and must be engaged in any exploration or development activities.
