Reps Ask FG To Intervene In Ogun, Ondo Land Ownership Dispute

By Alkassim Bala Tsakuwa, Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to intervene and determine the ownership status of a disputed area between Ogun and Ondo states to avoid further escalation.

The call followed a resolution on a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Hon. Donald Ojogo at the plenary on Wednesday.

Presenting the motion, he said the disputed territory falls within Mahin Kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State adding that the kingdom which was originally known as the Mahin country and existed long before the colonial era.

According to him, the paramount ruler of the area, known as the Amapetu of Mahin signed an agreement with colonial authorities in 1885, to join the entire Mahin country and the Island or land called Atijere into the colony of Lagos, where it was being administered up till the time of the 1914 Amalgamation.

Hon. Ojongo added that Atijere as well as other adjoining towns including Irokun, Igboedun, Eba, Obinneyin, Araromi seaside and Mahintedo had remained under the authority of the Amapetu of Mahin, a first-class and Grade A traditional ruler in Ondo State, since the colonial-era agreement.

The lawmaker added that, following this recognition, Atijere became the administrative centre for surrounding communities.

He said, “Following this recognition, Atijere, serving as the headquarters of other satellite towns including Eba, hosted the Native Court in 1933 and in all these, the Amapetu of Mahin Kingdom appointed vassal chiefs who have always been of Ilaje descent and ethnic background of the then Ondo Province and lately, Ondo State”.

He further added, that the Ondo provincial and state governments had consistently provided infrastructure in the area.

He said, “The House is concerned that all infrastructure—roads, hospital, schools and other social amenities—were/are provided for by the then Ondo province/Ondo government up till date,” Ojogo stated.

The lawmaker stressed that Eba Island clearly falls within Ondo State, arguing that geography and historical administration support this position.

He added, “The geographic coordinates align with officially recognised national and international mapping systems and such cannot be altered by opinion or speculation”.

“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”.

He said the location of the oil field further reinforced Ondo State’s claim.

The lawmaker said, “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.

“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 same belong to Ogun State”.

He lamented that, the situation has created avoidable tension and threatens peace in the area, hence the need for intervention.

The House adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Special Duties to urge the National Boundary Commission to urgently determine the status of the disputed area.