By Achile Danjuma
Traditional rulers and stakeholders from various communities in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected claims by neighbouring Ogun State over the rightful ownership of Eba Island, located along the boundary of the two western states.
Both Ondo and Ogun States have recently been in a dispute over the oil-rich island, with each state claiming ownership.
The Ogun State Government has reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over the island in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, dismissing Ondo State’s claims as misleading and capable of triggering avoidable communal tension.
However, the Ondo Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kayode Ajulo, described the dispute as “astonishing,” noting that official records and decades of administration have long recognised the island as part of Ondo State territory.
In response, the Ilaje monarchs, under the auspices of the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee, issued a statement on Thursday appealing to the Federal Government to intervene and prevent a potential communal crisis.
According to the monarchs, claims by traditional rulers from Ogun Waterside and the Ijebu axis are historically inaccurate and contradict established administrative and geographical records. They insisted that Eba Island belongs to the Sunshine State.
“Eba Island, alongside Atijere and several surrounding settlements, has historically formed part of Ilaje land and remains under the jurisdiction of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,” the statement partly read.
The monarchs explained that historical records clearly mark the pre-colonial boundary between the Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje and the Ijebu (Ogun State) axis at the meeting point of the red and white sand at the Efire/Ofara River, a natural landmark that still exists.
They added, “Regarding the land dispute between Ogun and Ondo State, the way forward is to make the Federal and state governments aware that Eba Island is in Ilaje land in Atijere, Ilaje Local Government, Ondo State. We want a committee to be set up to prevent a crisis.
The statement was jointly signed by their chairman and secretary, Oba Williams Akinyomi, Amapetu of Mahinland, and Oba Femi Ogbaro, Odoka of Ogbara Kingdom.