OREROKPE/Nigeria: The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (rtd), Orhue I, has suspended the controversial amendment of the Sapele-Okpe Community constitution and the creation of a purported fifth quarter that recently sparked tensions within the community.
The royal directive followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened at the Orodje’s Palace in Orerokpe, Delta State, as part of efforts to resolve the crisis surrounding the leadership of the community and allegations of unilateral constitutional changes by the executive led by Chief Onoriode Temiagin.
The revered monarch, who also serves as Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, had invited the parties involved in the dispute through the Secretary of the Okpe Traditional Council/Odugu Okpe, Okakuro O.P. Biadoyo, for a dialogue at the palace on Monday.
A source present at the meeting disclosed that the monarch ordered the immediate suspension of the disputed actions pending further consultations.
“The purported amendment of the Sapele-Okpe Community constitution and the creation of a fifth quarter is hereby suspended indefinitely,” the Orodje declared during the meeting, which was attended by key leaders and stakeholders of the community.
The monarch also nullified the vote of no confidence earlier passed on Temiagin and his executive, stating that the current leadership should be allowed to complete its tenure since it has about four months remaining in office.
The royal intervention came amid rising tensions in the community following a decision by leaders of the Sapele-Okpe Community on March 1, 2026, to pass a vote of no confidence on Temiagin and his executive.
The action was taken over allegations that the executive secretly amended the community’s constitution and created a new quarter without adequate consultation with relevant stakeholders.
The controversy surfaced after an aborted monthly community meeting held at Okpe Hall on the same day, where members had gathered to deliberate on the development and determine the next course of action.
Prominent community leaders present at that meeting included the Secretary of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association, Dr. Kingsley Abeke; 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.
Members of the community alleged that the Temiagin-led executive amended the constitution to recognise Otonyasere as the fifth quarter of Sapele-Okpe Community without consulting the existing quarters or members of the land trust association, a move they described as controversial and potentially injurious 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’s leadership.
The protesters marched through major streets of Sapele, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards bearing 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 demonstration, youth leader Ovo Abeke said the protest was aimed at drawing attention to concerns about the direction of 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 had demanded that steps be taken within 48 hours to address their concerns and initiate a leadership transition in line with community procedures.
In an effort to prevent the situation from escalating into a full-blown leadership crisis, the Orodje invited the warring factions to the palace for dialogue.
A letter of invitation issued by the palace had stated: “I am directed by His Royal Majesty, CFR, mni, Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, to invite you to the Palace with a view to resolving the ongoing issues in Sapele, your community.”
During the meeting, the monarch urged both the Chairman of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association, Senator Ede Dafinone, and the community chairman, Chief Onoriode Temiagin, to work closely together in resolving the issues and restoring peace and harmony within the community.
Among prominent Sapele-Okpe leaders who attended the palace 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 intervention by the Orodje is expected to calm tensions in the community and pave the way for dialogue aimed at resolving the leadership dispute and strengthening unity within Sapele-Okpe.
