The Ogun State government has rejected claims by the Ondo State government regarding ownership of Eba Island, where an oil well is currently under investigation.
In a statement on Thursday, February 13, Ogun State reaffirmed its jurisdiction over the island and warned against attempts to incite communal tension between the Ijebu and Ilaje peoples, who have historically coexisted peacefully.
The dispute emerged after Allen Sowore, Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication, claimed that Oke-Agor-Isekun—where an abandoned oil well was discovered—belongs to Ondo State, not Ogun.
However, Jide Onakoya, Special Adviser to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun on Energy, dismissed Ondo’s assertion as misleading and inconsistent with historical, traditional, and legal evidence.
Onakoya described Sowore’s statement as an affront to the Awujale of Ijebu Land and the Ijebu Traditional Council, emphasizing that historical records and documented evidence confirm the disputed territory lies within Ogun State.
He further explained that boundary demarcations between states and local governments follow markers recognized by the National Boundary Commission, and a review of official maps confirms Eba Island falls within Ogun Waterside Local Government in Ogun State.
Citing a document from the Palace of Makun-Omi, the statement reaffirmed Ogun State’s ownership of the area.
“It is indisputable that the oil well currently under investigation is located in Eba Island, which falls within Ogun Waterside in Ogun State.”
Additionally, the Ogun State government strongly criticized Ondo’s claim over Irokun, a community within Ogun Waterside Local Government, describing it as a reckless attempt to incite conflict.
The government reaffirmed that Irokun has been an Ijebu settlement since the colonial era, having historically belonged to the Western Region before becoming part of Ogun State.
“The geographical boundary declarations along the Bight of Benin confirm Irokun and Araromi Seaside as part of Ogun State, with the Onirokun of Irokun being a recognized member of the Ijebu Traditional Council,” Onakoya stated.
He attributed the spread of misinformation regarding the community’s ownership to Oba Samuel Edema, the Molokun of Atijere in Ondo State, accusing him of being a primary instigator.
According to him, in October 2024, Oba Edema reached out to Oba Kazeem Adesina Salami, the Osobia of Makun-Omi, seeking approval for a business venture on Eba Island, which is within Ogun Waterside.
However, the Ogun monarch, acting within legal bounds, rejected the request and immediately reported the matter to Governor Dapo Abiodun, who subsequently escalated it to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and security agencies.
“Following these reports, officials from the NNPC and law enforcement agencies visited the area to conduct due diligence. Ondo’s reaction to this legitimate action resulted in a misleading communiqué from the Ilaje Traditional Council, further escalating tensions.
“The government condemns attempts at territorial expansion and the misuse of colonial-era documents to justify claims that contradict Nigeria’s constitutional framework,” Obakoya said.
The Ogun State government referenced Colonial Government Gazette No. 660, issued on April 29, 1950, which explicitly outlined the boundary between the Ijebu and Ondo provinces. This document superseded earlier records, including Government Notices No. 69 of 1919 and No. 114 of 1920.
“The Gazette, signed by Acting Chief Secretary to the Colonial Government, H.F. Marshall, solidifies Ogun State’s ownership of the disputed territory.
“Ogun State reaffirms its commitment to maintaining peace and urged stakeholders to respect legal boundaries to avoid unnecessary conflict,” he added.
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