Tension is mounting in Sapele, Delta State, as Okpe groups on Friday staged a massive peaceful protest against the proposed installation of an Itsekiri ‘Ola Raja’—the oldest man of the Itsekiri ethnic group—within Sapele community, insisting the act is provocative and capable of igniting a breakdown of law and order.
The planned ceremony, slated for today, December 13, 2025, has sharply divided communities in Sapele, with Okpe leaders declaring that no Itsekiri traditional installation can be allowed on Okpe land.
Their fear of crisis was visibly heightened during the protest, as demonstrators displayed placards bearing inscriptions like: “Olu of Itsekiri should call his people to order,” “Police is compromising, please stop them now to avoid breakdown of law and order,” “Go to Koko and install Ola Raja, not in Sapele,” “Say no to Ola Raja in Sapele Community,” among others.
The protesters, drawn from the Okpe Youth Council Worldwide, Sapele Okpe Community, Okpe Union and other concerned groups, marched from the Sapele Okpe Community Town Hall through major streets to strategic security formations amid chants condemning what they described as an attempt to undermine Okpe heritage.
At the Sapele Local Government secretariat, the protesters were received by Mr. Felix Abone, protocol officer to the local government chairman.
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Their march continued to the Sapele divisional police headquarters and later to the Department of State Services (DSS) office, where they submitted their petitions.
The demonstration followed a joint statement earlier issued on Thursday by the Okpe Union and Sapele Okpe Community, signed by the President-General of Okpe Union, Godwin Atuse, and Chairman of Sapele Okpe Community, Onoriode Temiyage, warning that the proposed installation was unacceptable and a direct affront on Okpe customs.
Speaking during the protest, Secretary of Sapele Community, Raphael O’Williams, expressed deep concern over reports that security operatives were allegedly preparing to allow the installation to proceed despite public outcry.
“As far as Sapele community customs are concerned, this installation is an aberration,” he said.
“We do not want any crisis, blockade or destruction of lives and property. We came to appeal to security agencies to stop this act before it snowballs into something uncontrollable.”
National President of the Okpe Youth Council Worldwide, Newcombe Odette, warned that the Okpe people would not fold their arms while their land is treated with disdain.
“The Itsekiri people are tenants in our land. If they want to install their oldest man, they should do so in their own kingdom,” he stated.
“Security agencies must ensure this installation does not hold, because the consequences may be far-reaching.”
Chairman of Okpe Union in Sapele, Samuel Edbereje, also reiterated the union’s outright rejection of the ceremony, insisting that the Okpe people were peace-loving but not weak.
“From beginning to end, Okpe Union says no. Our hospitality must not be mistaken for foolishness,” he warned.
Other speakers similarly condemned what they described as attempts to provoke the Okpe nation, stressing that Sapele has always been recognized as Okpe territory.
Responding to the protesters, Mr. Abone assured them that the local government chairman had already convened an emergency security meeting to address the fast-escalating tension.
“Sapele is known for peace, and no one will be allowed to threaten that peace,” he said.
At the divisional police headquarters, CSP Johnbull Obiogoro, praised the protesters for their peaceful conduct and promised that the police would leave no stone unturned in handling the matter.
The DSS also confirmed receiving the community’s petition and pledged to look into their concerns.
As at press time, tension remained palpable across Sapele, with the Okpe community declaring emphatically that the installation of an Itsekiri Ola Raja on Okpe land would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
