Discussions over oil exploration in Ogun State took a new turn on Sunday as the Molokun of Atijere Kingdom in the Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, Oba Samuel Adeoye, declared that Eba Island—where oil exploration is proposed—belongs to his kingdom.
The monarch, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, said the people of Atijere would do everything legitimate to ensure they were not displaced from the site.
Recall that the Ogun State Government had on Thursday issued a statement quoting Governor Dapo Abiodun as saying President Bola Tinubu had approved the commencement of commercial oil drilling operations at Tongeji Island in Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.
However, the Ogun State Government later made a U-turn, clarifying that the approved location was Eba in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, not Tongeji Island.
While residents of Ipokia and Ogun West continued to express displeasure over the development, the Ondo monarch laid claim to Eba Island, insisting that the location where oil was discovered in commercial quantities belongs to the Atijere community in Ondo State.
Earlier, the traditional ruler of Makun Omi in Ogun Waterside, Oba Kazeem Salami, through his spokesman, Gbenga Onayiga, had commended President Tinubu for reportedly approving the commencement of commercial oil exploration on Eba Island.
Salami said the presidential nod would help the community and Ogun State realise their long-standing aspiration of producing crude oil. According to him, commercial oil drilling in Ogun Waterside would ensure inclusivity and empower the people of Makun Omi and neighbouring coastal communities.
