…cite existing historical documents, long-standing Ondo polling units, others as proof
By Kayode Afolabi
Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State have firmly rejected the claim by traditional authorities from Ogun Waterside that the oil-rich Eba Island belongs to Ogun State and the Ijebu axis.
They described the claim as historically inaccurate and a distortion of long-established administrative, traditional, and geographical facts that had defined the boundaries of the area for over a century.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman of the Ilaje Traditional Rulers, Oba Williams S. Akinyomi, and its Secretary, His Royal Majesty, Oba Femi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro Kingdom, the monarchs insisted that Eba Island and its surrounding communities remain integral parts of Ilaje land.
“We, the monarchs maintain that Eba Island and its surrounding communities are integral parts of Ilaje land in Ondo State, and that the assertions from Ogun Waterside disregard documented historical records and long-standing governance structures that place the area under Ilaje authority.
“Historical evidence shows that the traditional boundary between Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje and the Ijebu axis has always been the meeting point of the red and white sand at the Efire/Ofara River.
“The landmark remains physically identifiable and has served as the recognised boundary between the two territories for generations,” the monarch contended.
They further pointed to the presence of officially recognised electoral polling units within the Eba Island Forest Reserve and nearby settlements as proof of Ilaje’s administrative control.
“Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21 fall under Mahin Ward IV in Ilaje Local Government area of Ondo State.
“The existence and operation of these polling units within Nigeria’s electoral framework confirms the long-standing political and administrative jurisdiction of Ilaje Local Government over the communities,” he added.
They noted that the historical administrative affiliation of Atijere, Eba Island, and neighbouring settlements could be traced to the Mahin District, explaining that these communities were already part of the district when it was incorporated into the Lagos Colony in 1895.
“As the Amapetu of Mahin, the paramount ruler of the district, I am historically responsible for installing Baales in these communities,” he said
Speaking further on the development, the Molokun of Atijere Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Samuel Adeoye, explained that subsequent administrative changes further reinforced Ilaje’s claim, including the transfer of Mahin District to Abeokuta Province in 1906 and its later incorporation into Ondo Province in 1914/1915.
He said during this period, Atijere and surrounding settlements remained within the Mahin administrative structure.
“The establishment of the Atijere Native Court in 1937 placed Eba Island and several neighbouring towns under its jurisdiction, while the designation of Atijere as the headquarters of the Ilaje District Council in 1955 further strengthened the area’s administrative connection to Ilaje land,” Adeoye stated.
He also stressed that customary authority has consistently affirmed Ilaje ownership, noting that the Amapetu of Mahin, the paramount ruler of the district, has historically been responsible for installing Baales and exercising traditional authority over communities such as Atijere and Ago-Alaja/Balogun.
Adeoye maintained that neither Ogun State nor the Ijebu axis could legitimately claim Atijere, Eba Island, or any of the Ilaje communities, stressing that such territories must not be included in any proposed Ijebu State.
While listing several communities that remain firmly within Ilaje land, he reiterated that the historically recognised boundary between Mahin District in Ilaje and Ijebu remains the point where the red and white soil meet at the Efire/Ofara River.
He warned that the Ilaje residents would not tolerate any expansionist attempt to annex any part of their land under any guise, stressing that their territorial integrity remains non-negotiable.
The traditional rulers and stakeholders therefore called for urgent high-level intervention by relevant federal agencies, including the National Boundary Commission, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, as well as security agencies such as the Navy and the Army.
They also urged the National Assembly to facilitate an on-site inspection involving representatives of the Atijere/Makun-Omi communities and officials from both Ondo and Ogun states to ensure a peaceful and factual resolution of the matter.