By Ayodele Oni
Designation of Ogun as an oil producing state is being threatened following claim by the neighbouring Ondo state that the oil rich community falls under its jurisdiction.
A statement by Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser Media to Governor Dapo Abiodun had stated that Ogun state has joined the oil producing states in the country as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State.
However, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Ilaje and Ese-Odo, Donald Ojogo, maintained that the territory falls within the Mahin Kingdom in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, noting that the kingdom, originally known as the Mahin country, existed long before the colonial era.
Moving a motion on the floor of the house, Ojogo stated that “The House is concerned that all infrastructure—roads, hospitals, schools and other social amenities—were/are provided for by the then Ondo province/Ondo government up to date,”
The lawmaker stressed that Eba Island clearly falls within Ondo State, arguing that geography and historical administration support this position.
“The House is concerned that Eba Island, for instance, firmly falls within the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
“The geographic coordinates align with officially recognised national and international mapping systems and such cannot be altered by opinion or speculation.”
He also pointed out that the area had long been administered by Ondo State without objection.
“We are also concerned that Eba Island has, for decades, been administered as part of the Atijere Forest Reserve under Ondo State Government authority without any formal protest or legal challenge from Ogun State,” Ojogo added.
On oil exploration in the area, he said the location of the oil field further reinforced Ondo State’s claim.
“The location of the oil field (Ago Balogun community) otherwise known as the Eba oil field falls within Ago Balogun Community—customarily, historically and traditionally governed under Atijere Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State which further reinforces the fact that the original inhabitants of Eba Island are the Ilaje sub ethnic group of the Yoruba ethnic nationality.
Ojogo lamented that despite the absence of any legal backing, claims linking the area to Ogun State were gaining traction.
“Without any legal instrument, no judgment of any competent court, no National Boundary Commission determination, and no constitutional instrument designating Eba Island or the Eba oil field as part of Ogun State; media opinions and publications have twisted historical facts by insinuating that they belong to Ogun State,” he said.
According to him, the situation has created avoidable tension and threatens peace in the area.
The motion received overwhelming support from lawmakers, after which the House mandated its Committee on Special Duties to urge the National Boundary Commission to “urgently put in place measures to determine the status of the area.”
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