The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major General Felix Mujakperuo, Orhue I (Rtd), has ordered the suspension of the controversial amendment of the Sapele‑Okpe Community constitution and the proposed creation of a fifth quarter, a development that recently sparked tensions within the community.
The directive followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened at the monarch’s palace in Orerokpe, Delta State, to address the leadership dispute and allegations that the executive led by Chief Onoriode Temiagin had unilaterally altered the community’s constitution.
The revered monarch, who also chairs the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, had earlier invited the parties involved through the Secretary of the Okpe Traditional Council, Okakuro O.P. Biadoyo, for a peace meeting at the palace.
A source present at the meeting said the Orodje ordered an immediate halt to the disputed actions. “The purported amendment of the Sapele-Okpe Community constitution and the creation of a fifth quarter is hereby suspended indefinitely,” the monarch directed during the meeting attended by key stakeholders of the community.
The Orodje also nullified the vote of no confidence earlier passed on Temiagin and his executive, stating that the leadership should be allowed to complete its tenure, which has about four months remaining.
The crisis began on March 1, 2026, when leaders of Sapele-Okpe passed a vote of no confidence on the community chairman and his executive over allegations that they secretly amended the constitution and created an additional quarter without consultation.
The controversy followed an aborted monthly community meeting at Okpe Hall on the same day, where members gathered to deliberate on the issue and determine the next line of action.
Prominent leaders present at that meeting included Dr. Kingsley Abeke, Secretary of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association; Ufuoma Atose; Ovo Abeke; Bright Abeke; Chief Tom Anirah; the community Youth President, Obomine Ekariko; Chief G. Dafinone; and Senator Ede Dafinone, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District and also serves as Chairman of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association.
Community members alleged that the Temiagin-led executive amended the constitution to recognise Otonyasere as the fifth quarter of Sapele-Okpe without consulting the existing quarters or members of the land trust association, a move they described as controversial and potentially harmful to the community’s legal and proprietary interests.
Tensions escalated days later when thousands of youths staged a peaceful protest on March 4, 2026, demanding a review of the community leadership.
The protesters marched through major streets of Sapele, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as “We Don’t Have a Fifth Quarter,” “Temiagin Must Go,” and “This Is Sapele-Okpe Community, Not Temiagin Community.”
Speaking during the protest, youth leader Ovo Abeke said the demonstration was aimed at drawing attention to concerns about community governance. “The decision was that he should no longer lead this community. His leadership has not been beneficial to the Sapele-Okpe people. He should step aside and allow peace to return,” Abeke said, adding that the youths demanded steps within 48 hours to address their concerns and initiate a leadership transition process in line with community procedures.
At the palace meeting, the Orodje urged both the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association chairman, Senator Dafinone, and the community chairman, Temiagin, to work closely together to resolve the issues and restore peace in the community.
Among prominent Sapele-Okpe leaders who attended the meeting were Okakuro Thompson Okpoko, Professor Sam Oyovbaire, Okakuro Moses Asini, Okakuro Joe Ogufere, Okakuro Senator Ede Dafinone, Okakuro Onoriode Temiagin, Okakuro Godfrey Dafinone, Okakuro Tom Anirah, Okakuro Patrick Akamovba, Dr. Kingsley Abeke, Dr. Austin Arieja, Col. Moses Babuba Abeke, Hon. Godwin Atose, Chief Cyril Ogodo and Mr. Churchill Ayomanor.
The Orodje’s intervention is expected to ease tensions in the community and pave the way for dialogue aimed at resolving the lingering leadership dispute.
