Ondo monarchs, other stakeholders, reject Ogun’s Eba Island claim

…declare ‘Our land isn’t negotiable

…Ask Ogun to hands off oil rich Island

…Seek FG, state interventions

By Dayo Johnson Akure

Monarchs in the oil rich Ilaje council areas of Ondo State and other stakeholders, have rejected claims by Ogun State, that Eba Island belongs to it, insisting that their land isn’t negotiable.

While they cited historical records, electoral evidence, and administrative jurisdiction to support their stance, they warned against annexation attempts and called for a roundtable discussion and on-site investigation

Addressing newsmen under the under the auspice of the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee, the monarchs,insisted that the claim by traditional rulers in Ogun Waterside and the Ijebu axis was historically inaccurate and contrary to established administrative and geographical records
‎
‎Led by the Chairman of the Ilaje traditional rulers, the Amapetu of Mahinland, Oba Williams Akinyomi and the Committee’s Secretary, Oba Femi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro Kingdom, they reaffirmed that “Eba Island belongs to Ondo State not Ogun State and our land is not open for negotiation.

‎The monarchs, under the auspice of the Ilaje Local Government Traditional Chieftaincy Committee made this known during a press briefing with journalists on Wednesday.
‎
‎Led by the Chairman of the Ilaje traditional rulers, the Amapetu of Mahinland, Oba Williams Akinyomi, insisted that the claim by traditional rulers in Ogun Waterside and the Ijebu axis was historically inaccurate and contrary to established administrative and geographical records.
‎
‎Speaking on behalf of committee, its secretary, Oba Ogbaro, said that “Eba Island, alongside Atijere and several surrounding settlements, has historically formed part of Ilaje land and remains under the jurisdiction of Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State.
‎
‎” Historical records clearly show that the pre-colonial boundary between Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje and the Ijebu axis has always been marked by the meeting point of the red and white sand at the Efire/Ofara River, a natural landmark that still exists.
‎
‎He therefore called on the Federal Government to intervene so as to avoid crisis.
‎
‎The monarchs said “Regarding the land dispute between Ogun and Ondo State, the way forward is to make the whole world both the federal and state governments to be aware that Eba Island is in Ilaje land in Atijere, a Ilaje local government in Ondo State.
‎
‎”We want federal and state governments to set up a committee to look into this to prevent a crisis. We respect the Federal Government and the President of Nigeria for what is being done and trust that equity and justice will prevail.
‎
‎”My message for the Ogun government is that they should remain where they are; we will not allow them to claim illegitimate lands.

“If the issue is unresolved, we are ready to pursue legal avenues. At the end of the day, if there is no compromise, the legal route will be followed.”

“They will agree that Eba Island belongs Ilaje local government; they have no documents to claim otherwise.
‎
Oba Ogbaro, cited electoral evidence, noting that Lugboroko Polling Unit 24 and Basa Polling Unit 21, both located within the Eba Island Forest Reserve area, fall under Mahin Ward IV in Ilaje Local Government Area.
‎
‎He argued that the existence and operation of these polling units within the Nigerian electoral framework further confirm the long-established administrative control of Ilaje over the area.
‎
‎”The recognition and operation of these polling units within the Nigerian electoral ‎system further reinforce the long-established administrative and political jurisdiction of Ilaje Local Government over these communities.
‎
‎Whike providing historical context, the monarch, recalled that when Mahin District was incorporated into the Lagos Colony in 1895, Atijere and surrounding communities were part of the district.
‎
‎Ogbaro further pointed out that the creation of the Atijere Native Court in 1937 placed Eba Island and nearby settlements under its jurisdiction, reinforcing their traditional and administrative ties to Ilaje territory.
‎
‎He noted that when Atijere became the headquarters of the Ilaje District Council in 1955, Eba Island and its environs were placed directly under its authority, a status that has remained unchanged through subsequent administrative structures, including the creation of Ilaje Local Government.
‎
‎In his remark, the Moloku of Atijere Kingdom, Oba Samuel Adeoye, who insisted that the island is situated on his kingdom called on government from both state to have a roundtable discussion.
‎
‎Oba Adeoye said “There might be a need for both states to come to a roundtable discussion and be frank with each other. If they are not sincere or try to access resources that do not belong to them, there could be an issue.
‎
‎”There should be a meeting point where both communities and state governments sit down, look at all issues, and resolve them amicably. I believe God will give us the wisdom to do so.”
‎
The Ilaje rulers while warning that they would resist any attempt to annex any part of Ilaje land called for an on-site investigation involving representatives of the affected communities and both states.

The post Ondo monarchs, other stakeholders, reject Ogun’s Eba Island claim appeared first on Vanguard News.