The Sapele Itsekiri Aboriginal Communities Forum says a directive restricting burial ceremonies, traditional marriages and weddings during the 20th coronation anniversary of the Orodje of Okpe should not apply to Itsekiri communities in Sapele.
The Sapele Itsekiri Aboriginal Communities Forum (SIACF) has rejected any attempt to extend a directive restricting burial ceremonies, traditional marriages and wedding celebrations from November 13 to 22, 2026, to Itsekiri communities in Sapele, Delta State.
The forum made its position known in an open letter dated October 8, 2026, addressed to Okakuro O. P. Biadoyo, Secretary of Udogun Okpe (Okpe Supreme Council), in response to a letter dated October 7, 2026, concerning activities marking the 20th coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
In the letter signed by its president, Olayemi Uroye, the forum said it respected the traditional institution of the Orodje of Okpe and had no objection to the celebration of the monarch’s coronation anniversary.
However, it expressed concern that the directive, which it said had circulated on social media, appeared to extend beyond communities under the authority of the Orodje of Okpe to include the Aboriginal Itsekiri communities of Sapele.
The forum maintained that such a restriction should not be applied to its communities without lawful authority and the consent of the affected people.
Itsekiri communities assert traditional identity
The SIACF identified several communities, including Obontie, Ajimele, Ughekoko, Ajo Ojigwo, Aje Seges, Idale Ugbeyiyi, Ogun-Aja, Ugbeyili, Otoniyatser and Ogorode, among others, as Aboriginal Itsekiri communities in Sapele.
According to the forum, these communities do not fall under the traditional authority or administrative districts of Udogun Okpe or the Orodje-in-Council.
It further stated that their traditional allegiance and customary relationship remained with the palace and traditional institution of His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.
The forum argued that directives issued by the traditional authority of Okpe Kingdom could not automatically be regarded as binding on the Aboriginal Itsekiri communities of Sapele.
Cites historical records and government documents
The forum also called for an objective consideration of historical records, judicial pronouncements and government documents relating to land ownership and traditional authority in Sapele and its environs.
It specifically referenced the Delta State Government White Paper on the Judicial Panel of Inquiry into the Okpe-Sebe Forest Reserve, which it said recognised the historical presence and land interests of several communities in the area.
The SIACF argued that the involvement of traditional authorities in the establishment of the forest reserve should not, in itself, be treated as conclusive proof of ownership over the entire area or as establishing traditional jurisdiction over all communities within it.
It also referred to the judicial case involving Chief Ayomaner and Ginuwa II, reported as WACA No. 5, stating that historical and judicial decisions should be examined within their proper context rather than used to support broad claims of traditional authority.
Raises constitutional concerns
On the proposed restrictions, the forum expressed concern that preventing residents from conducting burial ceremonies, marriages and other lawful cultural activities could raise constitutional questions.
It cited Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association.
According to the forum, lawful social and cultural activities should not be restricted through a unilateral directive issued by a traditional institution to communities it considers outside that institution’s authority.
The SIACF consequently declared that it rejected any attempt to apply the October 7 directive to the Aboriginal Itsekiri communities of Sapele.
It added that its people intended to continue their lawful burial ceremonies, traditional marriages and wedding celebrations during the November 13–22 period, subject to the Constitution and applicable laws.
Reports alleged incident in Ogun-Aja
The forum also expressed concern over what it described as an alleged incursion on October 3, 2026, by persons it identified as Okpe into Ogun-Aja, an Aboriginal Itsekiri community in Sapele.
It condemned any unauthorised intrusion, intimidation, harassment or interference with the peaceful activities of community residents.
The forum stressed that the Itsekiri people of Sapele remained committed to peaceful coexistence with their neighbours but warned that their peaceful disposition should not be interpreted as an abandonment of their lawful rights.
It urged traditional rulers, community leaders and youths to refrain from inflammatory statements and actions capable of escalating tensions between neighbouring communities.
Appeals to Delta Government, security agencies
In the letter, the SIACF appealed to Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and relevant security agencies to take note of the situation and ensure the protection of lives, property and the rights of law-abiding residents.
It also called on the authorities to ensure that no individual, group or traditional institution took the law into its own hands.
The forum emphasised that its response was not intended as hostility towards the Okpe people or their traditional institution, but as a clarification of its position aimed at preventing avoidable misunderstandings.
Calls for dialogue and restraint
Concluding the letter, the SIACF urged the Secretary of Udogun Okpe and the Okpe traditional institution to reconsider any interpretation of the directive that might affect the Aboriginal Itsekiri communities of Sapele.
It said mutual respect for the history, identity, traditional institutions and lawful rights of neighbouring communities remained essential to peaceful coexistence.
The forum called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and other stakeholders to embrace dialogue, wisdom and restraint in resolving the matter.
The letter was issued on behalf of the Sapele Itsekiri Aboriginal Communities Forum and the Aboriginal Itsekiri communities of Sapele.
The position of Udogun Okpe and the Okpe traditional institution on the forum’s objections was not contained in the letter made available for this report.
