Ilaje Leaders Reject Ogun’s Claim Over Oil-Rich Eba Island

Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected claims by authorities in Ogun Waterside that the oil-rich Eba Island belongs to Ogun State. Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Ilaje Local Government Area have firmly rejected claims by traditional authorities from Ogun Waterside Local Government Area that the oil-rich Eba Island belongs to...

• Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have rejected claims by authorities in Ogun Waterside that the oil-rich Eba Island belongs to Ogun State.
• Traditional rulers and stakeholders in Ilaje Local Government Area have firmly rejected claims by traditional authorities from Ogun Waterside Local Government Area that the oil-rich Eba Island belongs to Ogun State and the Ijebu axis.The Ilaje leaders described the claim as historically inaccurate and a distortion of well-established facts regarding the ownership and territorial jurisdiction of the island.According to the stakeholders, historical records and ancestral settlements clearly show that Eba Island has long been part of the Ilaje territory within Ondo State.
• They insisted that the people of Ilaje have exercised traditional authority and economic activities on the island for generations.Community leaders argued that attempts to claim the island by neighbouring communities from Ogun State could create unnecessary tension between the two states if not properly addressed.They therefore called on the relevant government authorities, including boundary and security agencies, to uphold historical records and maintain the existing administrative structure to avoid conflicts.The stakeholders also appealed for calm among residents, urging both communities to allow constitutional institutions to resolve any dispute regarding territorial boundaries peacefully.Observers say the development highlights the continuing importance of oil-producing territories in the Niger Delta region, where control over land and natural resources often influences political and economic interests.