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Senator Gbenga Daniel,* the former Governor of Ogun State and current Senator for Ogun East, has emerged as a central figure in de-escalating the border tension between the Ilaje (Ondo) and Ijebu (Ogun) communities on Eba Island.
_Given his unique background, with paternal roots in Remo and maternal roots in Ijẹbu, he has positioned himself as a “bridge-builder” to ensure that the discovery of oil leads to shared prosperity rather than a bloody communal conflict.
1. The “Makun-Omi Bridge” Strategy
Senator Daniel has long advocated for a physical and economic connection between the disputed coastal areas and the rest of Ogun State.
The Vision: He has repeatedly called for the construction of the Makun-Omi Bridge via Efire._
The Goal: By pushing for this infrastructure, he aims to integrate the remote Eba Island/Makun-Omi axis into the mainstream economy, reducing the “administrative vacuum” that often leads to lawlessness and boundary skirmishes.
He believes that if the area is physically accessible and developed, the government can better protect the residents.
2. Quiet Diplomacy & Legislative Oversight
Rather than engaging in “media warfare,” Senator Daniel has favored “behind-the-scenes” groundwork:
Senate Intervention: Following the House of Reps resolution in January 2026, Daniel has pledged to use his position in the Senate to ensure the National Boundary Commission (NBC) conducts a fair, data-driven survey.
Preventing “Resource Curse” Violence: He has warned that while the recognition of Ogun as an oil-producing state is a victory (a vision he started in 2003 with Gateway Oil and Gas), it must not come at the cost of lives.
He has been in active dialogue with traditional rulers in Ogun Waterside to ensure they restrain local youth groups from reacting to provocations.
3. The “State Creation” Angle
Interestingly, Senator Daniel is currently leading the push for the creation of Ijebu State.
Conflict Resolution: Part of his argument is that a new state would allow for more localized and intense governance of the coastal “marginal” areas like Eba Island.
Unity of Purpose: He has used the state-creation platform to urge the Ijebu people to remain united and peaceful, arguing that internal communal clashes would derail their bigger dream of statehood.
4. Direct Community Engagement
On January 11, 2026, Daniel personally visited several aggrieved border communities (specifically those facing land pressures) to listen to their grievances.
During these visits, he:
Urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid self-help.
Promised to present their case directly to the Senate to prevent “land grabbing” by external speculators who are rushing to the area because of the Eba Oil Field.
SB E-news.
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