Oba Samuel Adeoye Edema, the Molokun of Atijere Kingdom in Ondo State, has stated his intention to lead peaceful demonstrations if his community remains excluded from oil exploration discussions concerning Eba Island. The monarch maintains that the island is under Ondo State jurisdiction and warned officials in Ogun State against politicizing the ownership of the territory.
According to the traditional ruler, the dispute only arose following the discovery of oil deposits in the region. He emphasized that the area has historically functioned as a forest reserve for Ondo State, with generations of residents from the Atijere Kingdom maintaining ancestral connections to the land. Oba Adeoye argued that these communities are primary stakeholders who must be consulted regarding development projects.
The monarch criticized project operators for sidelining his people while dealing only with select neighbors. He urged the federal authorities and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited to ensure that all relevant communities are included in ongoing negotiations. Furthermore, he insisted that no state can claim the island until the National Boundary Commission reaches a final decision on the state borders.
Oba Adeoye cautioned potential investors against acquiring land on the island while the legal status remains unresolved. He cited previous electoral activities as proof of Ondo State’s administrative authority and called for a swift resolution to prevent further tension between the neighboring states.
