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The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), Orhue I, has ordered an immediate suspension of the controversial amendment to the Sapele/Okpe Community constitution and the proposed creation of a fifth quarter, a move that recently sparked tension in the community.
The directive followed a stakeholders’ meeting convened at the monarch’s palace in Orerokpe to address the growing dispute surrounding the leadership of the Sapele/Okpe community and allegations of unilateral constitutional changes by the executive led by Chief Onoriode Temiagin.
The meeting, called by the revered monarch through the Secretary of the Okpe Traditional Council and Odugu Okpe, Okakuro O.P. Biadoyo, brought together prominent stakeholders from the community to find a peaceful resolution to the matter.
Sources who attended the meeting said the Orodje directed that the disputed actions be halted indefinitely.
“The purported amendment of the Sapele/Okpe Community constitution and the creation of a fifth quarter is hereby suspended indefinitely,” the monarch ruled during the meeting.
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 only about four months remaining in office.
The dispute began on March 1, 2026, when some leaders of the Sapele/Okpe community passed a vote of no confidence in the Temiagin-led executive.
The decision followed allegations that the leadership secretly amended the community’s constitution and created a new quarter without proper consultation with stakeholders.
The issue was expected to be discussed during the community’s monthly meeting at Okpe Hall in Sapele on the same day, but the gathering ended abruptly as tensions rose among members.
Prominent leaders present at the 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 the Sapele/Okpe community without consulting the existing quarters or members of the land trust association.
Many described the move as controversial and potentially harmful to the community’s legal and property interests.
Tensions escalated further on March 4, 2026, when hundreds of youths staged a peaceful protest in Sapele over the development. The protesters marched through major streets in the town, chanting solidarity songs and carrying 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 Hon Ovo Abeke said the demonstration was meant to draw attention to concerns about the way the community was being governed.
“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 wanted urgent steps taken to address their concerns and initiate a leadership transition according to community procedures.
In response to the rising tensions, the Orodje invited both parties to his palace for dialogue in an effort to prevent the situation from escalating into a full blown crisis.
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 together to resolve their differences and restore unity 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 Godfrey Dafinone, Okakuro Tom Anirah, Okakuro Patrick Akamovba, Dr. Austin Arieja, Col. Moses Babuba Abeke, Hon. Godwin Atose, Chief Cyril Ogodo, and Mr. Churchill Ayomanor.
