Tension is brewing between Itsekiri and Urhobo-speaking communities in Delta State following the construction of a palace annex in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area.
The Alema of Warri Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has cautioned the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, His Majesty Major General Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd), against actions he said could trigger a communal crisis between the Itsekiri people and residents of Sapele. Despite the warning, the Okpe monarch proceeded with the foundation-laying ceremony for a sub-palace in the town.
Speaking at the event, the Orodje described the exercise as a historic milestone, marking the groundbreaking of a Palace Annex in Sapele Township. According to him, the palace annex will serve as a center for the promotion and preservation of Okpe cultural heritage for future generations.
“It gives me great pleasure to witness this historical milestone as I performed the groundbreaking of my new Palace Annex in Sapele Township,” the monarch said. “I am overwhelmed with the love and massive turnout of my sons and daughters.”
The ceremony attracted a large gathering of indigenes, traditional leaders, and well-wishers, reflecting strong communal support for the project. In the days following the event, congratulatory messages reportedly poured in from sons and daughters of Okpe Kingdom across various communities. Supporters have described the Sapele Palace Annex as a step toward strengthening traditional governance, cultural unity, and royal presence within Okpe Kingdom.
However, Chief Uduaghan, a prominent Itsekiri traditional leader and alleged administrator of several Itsekiri communities within Sapele, clarified that his public statement was intended to restate the Itsekiri position on land ownership in the town. He said his comments followed an earlier announcement by the Orodje regarding the proposed foundation-laying ceremony.
According to Chief Uduaghan, Sapele is historically a multi-ethnic town and should not be regarded as the exclusive settlement of any single ethnic group. He maintained that, from the Itsekiri historical perspective, Sapele forms part of Itsekiri ancestral territory.
To support his claim, the Itsekiri leader referenced colonial-era records, including the 1930 Intelligence Report on the Okpe-Sobo Clan compiled by L. E. A. Fellows. He noted that the report listed notable Okpe settlements such as Amukpe, Elume, Orerokpe, and Ugbukurusu, but did not identify Sapele as an Okpe village.
Amid the rising tension, stakeholders and residents have called on both ethnic groups to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
There are also growing calls for the Delta State Government, under the leadership of Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene by convening a roundtable discussion involving the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to prevent any escalation of the situation and maintain peace in the state.
