The Molokun of Atijere Kingdom in the oil-rich Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, HRM Oba Samuel Olumide Adeoye, Edema 1, the Molokun of Atijere, has warned that his community may resort to peaceful protests if it continues to be excluded from discussions and benefits arising from oil exploration activities on Eba Island.
The monarch, while welcoming investment and development in the area, insisted that communities under the Atijere Kingdom must be recognised as critical stakeholders in all engagements relating to the island, which he maintained remains part of Ondo State.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding ownership of Eba Island, Oba Adeoye dismissed claims by neighbouring Ogun State, stressing that the disputed territory has historically belonged to Ondo State and that the ownership debate only surfaced following the discovery of oil deposits in the area.
According to the traditional ruler, Eba Island had existed peacefully for decades without any boundary-related disagreement until oil exploration activities heightened interest in the territory.
“The ownership controversy only emerged after the discovery of oil. The territory had existed peacefully for decades without any dispute. That place has always been part of Ondo State’s forest reserve,” he said.
Oba Adeoye noted that communities such as Ago Alaja, Lugboroko and Ago Balogun, which fall under the Atijere Kingdom, have occupied the area for generations and maintain deep ancestral and cultural ties to the land despite migration by some residents to other parts of Ilaje, including Igbokoda.
The monarch argued that the people of Atijere are directly impacted by developments on Eba Island and therefore deserve representation in all discussions concerning oil exploration, land transactions and development initiatives in the area.
“What we want is for our rights to be respected. We must be recognised as part of the oil-producing community. If any activity is to take place there, those involved must come to Atijere and engage with us,” he stated.
Expressing frustration over what he described as the exclusion of his kingdom from critical consultations, Oba Adeoye accused project handlers of engaging only a few neighbouring communities while sidelining Atijere.
He warned that residents would not hesitate to mobilise for peaceful demonstrations if the alleged marginalisation persists.
“We will mobilise. We will occupy the place if necessary. We are defending our land. It is our constitutional right to protest, and we have the capacity to do so,” the monarch declared.
Oba Adeoye further challenged Ogun State’s claim to the territory, insisting that no state can legitimately assert ownership until the National Boundary Commission (NBC) concludes its determination of the boundary between Ondo and Ogun states.
“Nobody has ceded that place to Ogun State. It is the responsibility of the National Boundary Commission to determine the boundary between Ondo and Ogun states,” he said.
While urging the Ogun State Government to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions, the monarch expressed concern over the slow pace of efforts to resolve the dispute, despite the involvement of the National Boundary Commission.
He revealed that previous meetings involving stakeholders from both states had yet to produce a lasting resolution to the matter.
As further evidence of Ondo State’s administrative presence in the disputed communities, Oba Adeoye pointed to electoral activities previously conducted in the area under Ondo State’s jurisdiction.
The traditional ruler called on the Federal Government, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), investors and contractors operating on Eba Island to ensure that all adjoining communities are adequately represented in consultations and development plans.
He also cautioned prospective investors against acquiring land on the island until the boundary dispute is conclusively resolved by the National Boundary Commission.
According to him, all affected kingdoms and communities must be carried along in discussions relating to land ownership, development projects and oil-related activities to guarantee peace, fairness and sustainable development in the area.
While reiterating his support for economic development and investment, Oba Adeoye maintained that Atijere Kingdom would continue to defend its interests and seek recognition as a key stakeholder in the future of Eba Island.
Leave a Reply