The Ogun State Authorities has reaffirmed its territorial jurisdiction over Eba Island in Ogun Waterside Native Authorities Space, dismissing claims from some quarters in Ondo State as deceptive and able to triggering avoidable communal rigidity.
The clarification follows public debates and a movement sponsored by Donald Kimikanboh Ojogo, representing Ilaje Federal Constituency in Ondo State, after President Bola Tinubu authorized the graduation of drilling actions at an deserted oil effectively situated on Eba Island.
In an announcement issued on Sunday, the Particular Adviser to the Governor on Data and Technique, Kayode Akinmade, mentioned the Eba Island the place the authorized oil effectively is situated falls squarely inside Ogun Waterside Native Authorities Space of Ogun State.
In accordance with Akinmade, boundaries between states and native governments in Nigeria are constitutionally outlined and correctly documented by the Nationwide Boundary Fee, including that official boundary maps and information clearly situate Eba Island inside Ogun State.
He defined that Eba is a long-established neighborhood inside Ogun Waterside, whose standing predates Nigeria’s independence and has remained unchanged by means of successive political and administrative reorganisations, together with the 1976 state creation train that carved Ogun State out of the previous Western State.
“Since 1976, there was no constitutional modification, judicial pronouncement or federal gazette that altered the boundary putting Eba outdoors Ogun State,” the assertion mentioned.
The federal government clarified that there are two distinct areas generally known as “Eba.” Whereas one is situated close to the Ondo State forest reserve, the bigger Eba Island—the place the oil effectively authorized by the President is located—lies completely inside Ogun State’s coastal hall.
Akinmade famous that the presidential approval for drilling adopted intensive due diligence by Nigerian Nationwide Petroleum Firm Restricted and different related federal establishments, all of which confirmed that the oil effectively is situated inside Ogun State territory earlier than clearance was granted.
He added that the deployment of nationwide safety property, together with naval formations across the drilling web site, additional demonstrates federal recognition of Ogun State because the host state.
Offering further context, the assertion disclosed that in October 2024, the Molokun of Atijere in Ondo State formally approached the Osobia of Makun-Omi in Ogun Waterside Native Authorities Space, searching for permission to conduct enterprise actions on Eba Island. The request was declined and subsequently reported to the Ogun State Authorities, NNPCL and safety companies.
In accordance with the federal government, this engagement amounted to a tacit acknowledgment of Ogun State’s jurisdiction over the world.
On historic claims being circulated, the Ogun State Authorities described reliance on colonial paperwork from 1919 and 1920 as deceptive, pointing as an alternative to Colonial Authorities Gazette No. 660 of April 29, 1950, which clearly outlined the boundary between the previous Ijebu and Ondo Provinces and outmoded earlier notices.
The federal government additionally cited lease agreements, historic neighborhood information and survey paperwork—together with the Olokola Free Commerce Zone Survey Plan—as additional proof establishing Eba Island as a part of Ogun State.
Administrative validation by the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC) was additionally referenced, with the polling unit at LA Main Faculty, Eba, formally registered underneath Makun/Irokun Ward in Ogun Waterside Native Authorities Space of Ogun State.
Akinmade mentioned that following the invention of hydrocarbon prospects within the coastal hall, the Ogun State Authorities performed unbiased verification of the effectively coordinates utilizing geospatial and cartographic know-how, which confirmed that the wells are situated inside Ogun State boundaries.
He added that Ogun State has labored intently with the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Fee and NNPCL in securing the asset and making ready it for industrial exploration, together with facilitating the institution of naval safety infrastructure within the space.
Whereas cautioning towards the unfold of misinformation and inflammatory narratives, the Ogun State Authorities referred to as for restraint and accountable engagement by all events.
The federal government reaffirmed its dedication to the rule of legislation, peaceable coexistence and cooperation with the Federal Authorities in safeguarding nationwide property, including that the individuals of Makun-Omi Kingdom have assured authorities of their readiness to take care of peace and defend lives and property.
“The details are clear and the legislation is settled. Eba Island the place the authorized oil effectively is situated is in Ogun State,” the assertion concluded.