The Ogun State Government has strongly refuted claims by the Ondo State Government regarding the ownership of Eba Island, where an abandoned oil well is currently under investigation.
It maintained that the island falls within Ogun State’s jurisdiction and cautioned against any move that could incite communal conflict between the historically peaceful Ijebu and Ilaje communities.
The dispute emerged following a statement by Allen Sowore, Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Strategic Communication, in which he asserted that Oke-Agor-Isekun—where the oil well was discovered—belongs to Ondo State, not Ogun.
In response, Jide Onakoya, Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Energy, dismissed the claim as “misleading and contrary to established historical, traditional, and legal evidence.” He described the assertion as an “affront to the Awujale of Ijebu Land and the Ijebu Traditional Council,” stressing that historical records and official documents confirm the disputed territory as part of Ogun State.
Onakoya further explained that territorial boundaries between states are defined by markers recognized by the National Boundary Commission. He added that a thorough review of maps and records confirms that Eba Island is within Ogun Waterside Local Government in Ogun State.
Quoting a document from the Palace of Makun-Omi, Ogun State emphasized:
“It is INDISPUTABLE that the oil well currently under investigation is located in Eba Island, which falls within Ogun Waterside in Ogun State.”
Additionally, Ogun State dismissed Ondo’s claim over Irokun, a community in Ogun Waterside, describing it as a reckless attempt to rewrite history. The statement clarified that Irokun has remained an Ijebu settlement since colonial times, transitioning from the Western Region to Ogun State.
The government also cited geographical boundary declarations along the Bight of Benin, which confirm Irokun and Araromi Seaside as parts of Ogun State. It noted that the Onirokun of Irokun is a recognized member of the Ijebu Traditional Council.
The Ogun State Government also attributed the misinformation to Oba Samuel Edema, the Molokun of Atijere in Ondo State, alleging that he played a key role in fueling the dispute.
It revealed that in October 2024, Oba Edema contacted Oba Kazeem Adesina Salami, the Osobia of Makun-Omi, requesting permission to carry out a business venture in Eba Island.
The Osobia of Makun-Omi, however, declined the request and promptly informed the Ogun State Governor, who escalated the matter to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and security agencies.
Following this, officials from NNPC and law enforcement agencies conducted an on-site investigation. Ogun State claimed that Ondo’s reaction to this legitimate process led to a “misleading communiqué from the Ilaje Traditional Council,” further heightening tensions.
The government condemned what it described as “territorial expansionist tendencies” and the “misuse of colonial-era documents” to support claims that contradict Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
It referenced Colonial Government Gazette No. 660, dated April 29, 1950, which clearly defines the boundary between the Ijebu and Ondo provinces. It noted that the Gazette supersedes earlier documents such as Government Notices No. 69 of 1919 and No. 114 of 1920.
The document, signed by Acting Chief Secretary to the Colonial Government, H.F. Marshall, reinforces Ogun State’s ownership of the disputed area.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace and stability, the Ogun State Government urged all parties to respect legal boundaries and avoid actions that could escalate tensions.
