Ceremonies: Your restriction, not binding on us – Aboriginal Itsekiris in Sapele, reply Udogun Okpe

Sapele Itsekiri Aboriginal Communities Forum, SIACF and the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele, have rejected a directive credited to the Secretary, Udogun Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council) Okakuro O. P. Biadoyo, which purportedly restrict burial ceremonies, traditional marriages and wedding ceremonies in Sapele, from 13th to 22nd November 2026,.

The Aboriginal Itsekiris in a rejoinder dated October 8, 2026 and addressed to the Secretary, Udogun Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council) Okakuro O. P. Biadoyo, said the directive was not binding on them, saying it “appears to extend beyond the traditional communities and persons under the authority of the Orodje of Okpe.”

The President of Sapele Itsekiri Aboriginal Communities Forum, Olayemi Uroye and Secretary, Uwaosayemi Victor Oyewumi, in the correspondence, insisted that Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities, do not fall under the traditional authority or administrative districts of Udogun Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council/Orodje-in-Council) as such, any directive emanating from the traditional authority of Okpe Kingdom cannot, without lawful authority or the consent of the affected communities, be interpreted as binding upon the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele.

The letter, which was made available Fresh Angle International, Friday October 9, reads: “

RE: A REJOINDER TO THE “RE-PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE 20TH CORONATION ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, CFR, MNI, ORHUE I, ORODJE OF OKPE KINGDOM” DATED 7TH OCTOBER 2026, WITH REFERENCE NO. C.A.473/41

Dear Sir,

The above subject matter refers.

We, the Sapele Itsekiri Aboriginal Communities forum (SIACF) and key Stakeholders of the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele, on behalf of the Itsekiri people of Sapele, hereby issue this rejoinder in response to the above-referenced letter addressed to the District Heads under the authority of Udogun Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council).

Our attention has been drawn to the said letter, which has also been widely circulated on Facebook and other social media platforms. Of particular concern is the directive purportedly restricting burial ceremonies, traditional marriages and wedding ceremonies from 13th to 22nd November 2026 in areas allegedly covered by the traditional authority of His Royal Majesty, CFR, MNI, Orhue I, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, in connection with the activities marking his 20th Coronation Anniversary.

We wish to state from the outset that we have the utmost respect for the traditional institution of the Orodje of Okpe and the right of the Okpe people to celebrate their traditional and cultural events. We have no objection whatsoever to the celebration of the Okpe people or the activities surrounding the 20th Coronation Anniversary of His Royal Majesty.

However, we are constrained to respond because the directive contained in the said letter, as circulated, appears to extend beyond the traditional communities and persons under the authority of the Orodje of Okpe and to encompass the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele.

We consider it necessary to clarify our position in order to prevent misunderstanding, preserve the peace, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of our people.

1. STATUS OF THE ABORIGINAL ITSEKIRI COMMUNITIES OF SAPELE

The Itsekiri people of Sapele are the aboriginal inhabitants and recognised owners of communities including Obontie, Ajimele, Ugbekoko, Ajo-Ojigwo, Aja-Sagay, Idale-Ugbeyiyi, Ogun-Aja, Ugbeyiyi, Otoniyatsere, Ogorode, among others.

These Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities do not, by our understanding and historical position, fall under the traditional authority or administrative districts of Udogun Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council/Orodje-in-Council).

Our traditional allegiance and customary relationship remain with the Palace and traditional institution of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, the Olu of Warri.

Accordingly, any directive emanating from the traditional authority of Okpe Kingdom cannot, without lawful authority or the consent of the affected communities, be interpreted as binding upon the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele.

2. HISTORICAL AND DOCUMENTARY RECORD

It is important to emphasize that the Okpe people are not the only indigenous ethnic or linguistic group historically associated with Sapele Town and Sapele Local Government Area.

Various historical records, judicial pronouncements, colonial intelligence reports, educational and administrative records, as well as government documents, have recognized the existence of distinct Itsekiri communities in Sapele and its environs.

Of particular relevance is the Delta State Government White Paper on the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the Okpe-Sobo Forest Reserve, which, as relied upon by our people, recognized that several communities occupied and exercised acts of ownership over lands within the area before the constitution of the Forest Reserve.

The White Paper further recognized communities, including Obontie, Ugbekoko and Aja-Ojigwo as bona fide Itsekiri communities, while Uton-Iyatsere was recognised as an Itsekiri settlement.

The fact that some Okakures of Udogun Okpe may have signed an instrument relating to the creation of the Forest Reserve cannot, in itself, constitute conclusive proof of ownership of the entire area or establish traditional authority over communities that are historically distinct from Okpe.

We also note the judicial history surrounding Chief Ayomano & Another v. Ginuwa II, 9 WACA 85, which concerned a specific area of land and cannot reasonably be interpreted as establishing ownership by the Okpe people of the entirety of lands and communities within present-day Sapele Local Government Area.

It is therefore necessary that historical, judicial and governmental records be considered objectively and in their proper context rather than relying on broad or unilateral assertions of traditional jurisdiction.

3. FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS OF OUR PEOPLE

The directive purporting to restrict burial ceremonies, marriages and other lawful social and cultural activities within the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities raises serious constitutional concerns.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), guarantees fundamental rights, including the right to peaceful assembly and association under Section 40.

The right of individuals and communities to conduct lawful marriages, burial ceremonies and other legitimate cultural and social activities cannot ordinarily be suspended by a directive issued by a traditional authority over persons or communities who are not subject to that authority.

We therefore respectfully maintain that any restriction on the fundamental rights of our people must derive from lawful authority and cannot simply be imposed through a unilateral traditional directive upon communities outside the authority of the issuing institution.

4. OUR POSITION ON THE PROPOSED RESTRICTION

In view of the foregoing, we reject, in clear terms, any attempt to extend the directive contained in the letter of 7th October 2026 to the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele.

Our people reserve the right to continue with their lawful and legitimate activities, including burial ceremonies, traditional marriages and wedding ceremonies, in their respective communities during the period 13th to 22nd November 2026, subject always to the Constitution and applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

We urge all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any action or statement capable of creating unnecessary tension between neighbouring communities.

5. SECURITY AND PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE

We are particularly concerned by reports of an incident on 3rd October 2026 involving an alleged incursion by persons identified as Okpe into Ogun-Aja, an Aboriginal Itsekiri Community in Sapele.

We consider any unauthorized intrusion, intimidation, harassment or interference with the peaceful activities of our communities unacceptable.

The Itsekiri people of Sapele have consistently demonstrated their commitment to peace and peaceful coexistence with their neighbours. Nevertheless, peaceful disposition should not be misconstrued as an abandonment of our lawful rights or inability to seek protection through lawful means.

We therefore call on all parties, particularly traditional leaders and community leaders, to discourage inflammatory statements, unauthorized incursions and any conduct capable of escalating tensions.

6. APPEAL TO THE DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT AND SECURITY AGENCIES

In the interest of peace, security and harmonious coexistence in Sapele and Delta State generally, we respectfully call upon His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State, and all relevant security agencies to take note of the situation and ensure that the rights, safety, properties and communities of all law-abiding citizens are protected.

We further urge the relevant authorities to call all parties to order and ensure that no individual, group or traditional institution takes the law into its own hands.

We remain committed to peaceful coexistence and dialogue. Our response should therefore not be misconstrued as hostility towards the Okpe people or their traditional institution. Rather, it is intended to clearly establish our position and prevent the escalation of an avoidable misunderstanding.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we respectfully urge the Secretary of Udogun Okpe and the entire Okpe traditional institution to exercise restraint and reconsider the application or interpretation of the directive contained in the letter of 7th October 2026 insofar as it purports to affect the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele.

We believe that mutual respect for the history, identity, traditional institutions and lawful rights of each community remains the best foundation for peaceful coexistence.

We therefore appeal to all traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and stakeholders to allow wisdom, restraint and dialogue to prevail.

A stitch in time saves nine.

Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.

Yours faithfully,

For and on behalf of the Sapele Itsekiri aboriginal communities forum (SIACF) and the Aboriginal Itsekiri Communities of Sapele

SIGN

Olayemi Uroye

President (SIACF)

Uwaosayemi Victor Oyewumi

Secretary (SIACF).

×