Adelowo Oladipo, Minna/
The Okpẹ Union Worldwide has called on Itsekiri leaders to respect the 1943 judgment of the West African Court of Appeal (WACA) and desist from what it described as “bogus and expansionist claims” over Okpẹ territories.
In a strongly worded New Year message to the Okpẹ Nation, the Union accused some Itsekiri elements of disregarding established court judgments and attempting to undermine the sovereignty of the Okpẹ people through what it termed reckless territorial expansion.
“As a nationality that prides itself on respect for the rule of law and court judgments, one would expect the Itsekiri Nation to honour the 1943 WACA judgment and desist from all bogus claims on Okpẹ territories,” the Union stated.
The Union further alleged that some Itsekiri settlers had renamed areas where they were originally allowed to reside as refugees, giving them Itsekiri names.
“For example, Etamua was changed to Ogunaja; Amua Ogodo to Aja Ogodo; and part of Amuokpe to Aja-Sagay,” it stated.
According to the statement, presented by the President-General of Okpẹ Union Worldwide, Prof. Igho Natufe, claims by Itsekiri communities such as Abigborodo and Obotie to indigenous settlements in Okpẹ land were decisively rejected by the Delta State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Okpẹ-Sobo Forest Reserve in 2020.
“The bogus claims by some Itsekiris to indigenous communities in Okpẹ land, particularly those constituted into the Sapele Okpẹ-Sobo Forest Reserve during the colonial era, necessitated the setting up of the Commission of Inquiry by the Ifeanyi Okowa administration. From the published record of proceedings, these claims were clearly rubbished,” the Union stated.
The Union also clarified that the Okpẹ and Itsekiri peoples do not share land boundaries, stressing that the territorial boundary between Okpẹ land and Itsekiriland is clearly defined.
“The boundary runs from the Hole-in-the-Wall Creek, between Sapele and Abigborodo (the boundary between Sapele and Warri North Local Government Areas), through Obotie-Ugbukurusu, Ikeresan, Elume River, Erogho Waterside, and finally to the water boundary between Ughoton and Omadino, marking the boundary between Okpẹ and Warri South Local Government Areas,” the statement explained.
The Union recalled that Itsekiri refugees fled to Sapele during the 1894 Itsekiri civil war, popularly known as the Nana War, and were granted refuge by the Okpẹ people.
“This historical fact was affirmed in the WACA judgment delivered in Lagos on April 30, 1943, which held that Itsekiris fleeing the Nana War ‘ran for refuge to Sapele where they were granted refuge by the Okpẹ people, the owners of Sapele,’” the Union stated.
Describing the current situation as troubling, the Union warned that hospitality should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We opened our doors to welcome Itsekiri refugees, but it now appears that our hospitality is being abused. The settler must not equate himself with the indigene,” the statement says, adding that alleged threats to Okpẹ sovereignty in Sapele should be of serious concern to all Okpẹ people.
The Union called on the Okpẹ Traditional Council, political leaders, and elected officials, particularly the chairmen of Sapele Local Government Council and Okpẹ Local Government Council, as well as Okpẹ representatives in the Delta State House of Assembly, to rise to their responsibilities as defenders of Okpẹ territorial integrity.
Specifically mentioned were Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Senator Ede Dafinone, Hon. Ben Etanabene, James Augoye, and Perkins Umukoro, whom the Union urged to more vigorously articulate and protect Okpẹ interests within their respective portfolios.
While reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence with other ethnic nationalities, the Union stressed that it would defend Okpẹ territories by all legitimate means.
“Non-Okpẹ nationals are welcome in Okpẹ towns and villages, but they must remember they are guests, not owners of Okpẹ land. Some elements in the Itsekiri Nation appear not to understand this fundamental principle, interestingly, they would not dare make similar claims in Ajoki, Ekehuan, or Ologbo in the Benin Kingdom,” the Union noted.
The Union also proposed a change in nomenclature, suggesting that the appellation “Sapele Okpẹ Community” be replaced.
“It has no conceptual difference from other ethnic communities in Sapele, such as the Sapele Ndigbo Community or Sapele Yoruba Community. A more positive and definitive name like Sapele Indigenes Association should be adopted,” it concluded.
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