Ondo Monarchs Appeal to FG for Intervention in Eba Island Land Dispute with Ogun

Traditional rulers and stakeholders from Ilaje Local Government Area in Ondo State have called on the Federal Government to intervene in the escalating boundary dispute with Ogun State over the ownership of Eba Island, an oil-rich territory along the shared border.

The disagreement between the two South-West states has intensified in recent weeks, with both governments laying claim to the island. The Ogun State Government recently asserted its jurisdiction over the area, dismissing Ondo’s claims as inaccurate and potentially inflammatory.

In response, the Ondo State Attorney General, Kayode Ajulo, described the dispute as surprising, citing official records and decades of administrative history that place the island within Ondo territory.

Speaking through the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee, the monarchs issued a statement on Thursday rejecting the claims from Ogun Waterside and Ijebu traditional rulers. They insisted that Eba Island has always been part of Ilaje land.

The statement, signed by Oba Williams Akinyomi (Amapetu of Mahinland) and Oba Femi Ogbaro (Odoka of Ogbara Kingdom), outlined historical evidence supporting their position. According to the monarchs, the pre-colonial boundary between Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje and the Ijebu axis in Ogun State was marked by the meeting point of red and white sand at the Efire/Ofara River, a natural landmark that remains visible today.

They further noted that Atijere and surrounding settlements, including Eba Island, were incorporated into the Mahin District when it became part of the Lagos Colony in 1895. The establishment of the Atijere Native Court in 1937 placed the island under its jurisdiction, reinforcing traditional and administrative links to Ilaje territory.

The traditional rulers also pointed to electoral evidence, noting that polling units within the Eba Island Forest Reserve specifically Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21 fall under Mahin Ward IV in Ilaje Local Government Area. They argued that this demonstrates long-standing administrative control recognised within Nigeria’s electoral framework.

“We want a committee to be set up to prevent a crisis,” the monarchs stated. “We respect the Federal Government and trust that equity and justice will prevail. Our message to the Ogun Government is that they should remain where they are; we will not allow them to claim illegitimate lands.”

They expressed readiness to pursue legal action if the matter remains unresolved.

The Monarch of Atijere Kingdom, Oba Samuel Adeoye, called for a roundtable discussion involving both state governments and affected communities.

“There might be a need for both states to come to a roundtable discussion and be frank with each other. If they are not sincere or try to access resources that do not belong to them, the problem may persist,” he said.

While supporting oil exploration and development in the Eba area, the Ilaje monarchs declared their opposition to any attempt to annex their land. They urged for an on-site investigation involving representatives from both states and the affected communities to determine the rightful ownership based on historical and administrative records.