Ilaje Monarchs Back Ajube, Call for Decentralisation of Pipeline Surveillance in Niger Delta
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Mahin, Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo State — A major traditional and political voice has emerged from the Niger Delta coastal region as the Ilaje Local Government Council of Obas has declared full support for the call to decentralise pipeline and oil facilities surveillance operations across the Ondo State axis.
The monarchs, under the leadership of HRM Oba Lawrence A. A. Omowole III, the Amapetu of Mahin, reached the resolution during a high-level council meeting held at his palace on Tuesday, where prominent traditional rulers from across Ilaje LGA were in attendance.
The meeting concluded with a formal address directed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, backing the growing agitation for a more inclusive, state-based surveillance structure. The monarchs also declared collective support for Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, a key advocate of the decentralisation campaign in the Niger Delta region.
Royal Consensus on Security and Inclusion
The council, which comprises several traditional rulers including HRH Owoyele, HRH Mado, Oba A. K. Ikuesan (Olubo of Obe-Nla), Oba Ademola Akinbule (Yasere of Oriretan), Oba Samuel Olumide Edema (Malokun of Atijere), and Oba Olusola Ajaka (Gbogunro of Idi-Ogba Alagbon), emphasized that decisions affecting oil infrastructure security must reflect fairness, inclusiveness, and territorial relevance.
In their collective position, the monarchs argued that concentrating surveillance authority in a centralised structure risks undermining local participation, weakening accountability, and excluding key stakeholders within oil-producing communities.
They stressed that Ondo State, as a critical coastal oil-producing region, must not be marginalised in matters directly tied to resources within its territorial domain.
Concerns Over Inclusion, Youth Participation, and Operational Integrity
Speaking through the council’s Secretary, HM Ogbaro (Oduka of Obe-Ogbaro), the monarchs highlighted the Ilaje coastline as a historically strategic but often sensitive area that has benefited from improved cooperation between Ilaje and neighbouring Ijaw communities.
They noted that this collaboration has contributed significantly to reducing maritime crimes such as piracy, illegal bunkering, and armed robbery across parts of Ondo, Edo, Delta, and even Lagos coastal corridors.
However, the council raised concerns about the current surveillance framework, citing limited youth engagement, allegations of unpaid allowances, and the infiltration of unfamiliar actors into coastal operations.
According to the traditional rulers, such challenges risk weakening the effectiveness of ongoing security arrangements and eroding community trust.
Call for Presidential Intervention
The monarchs urged President Tinubu to initiate an urgent review of pipeline surveillance operations across the Niger Delta, advocating a restructuring that would place Ondo State operations under credible indigenous coordination.
They maintained that a decentralised model would not only enhance transparency and employment opportunities but also strengthen community ownership and improve intelligence gathering along critical oil infrastructure corridors.
The council further argued that Nigeria’s crude oil output and revenue stability depend heavily on effective protection of pipelines, which they believe can only be sustained through inclusive participation of host communities.
Support for SHC Bibopere Ajube
The Ilaje monarchs’ declaration significantly strengthens the growing support base for Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, whom they described as a consistent voice for fairness, equity, and regional participation in oil and gas governance.
Ajube, an influential stakeholder from the Arogbo Ijaw axis, has continued to advocate for a decentralised framework that ensures oil-producing states have greater control and participation in surveillance operations within their territories.
The monarchs affirmed that his position aligns with the broader aspiration of coastal communities seeking recognition, inclusion, and economic empowerment.
Editorial: Traditional Institutions and the Search for Balance in Resource Governance
The position of the Ilaje Council of Obas reflects a broader and long-standing debate in the Niger Delta—how to balance national security interests with local participation in resource governance.
Traditional institutions remain a powerful voice in community cohesion, particularly in coastal regions where historical ties, territorial identity, and economic survival are closely intertwined. Their intervention in this matter underscores the importance of dialogue between federal authorities and grassroots stakeholders.
While centralised security arrangements may offer operational coordination, their long-term sustainability often depends on local legitimacy and trust. Excluding key stakeholders risks creating friction in regions already sensitive to resource distribution and economic inclusion.
A sustainable model for pipeline security must therefore combine efficiency with equity, ensuring that host communities are not only protected but also actively involved in safeguarding the infrastructure within their environment.
Conclusion
As discussions over pipeline surveillance continue at the national level, the Ilaje monarchs’ intervention adds a significant traditional dimension to the debate. Their message to the Federal Government is clear: inclusion, fairness, and decentralisation are essential to lasting peace and effective security in the Niger Delta.
Source:
Ogele News / Field Correspondence
https://globalegberi.com.ng/wp
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