The Okpe Union has advised Itsekiri leaders to honour the 1943 West African Court of Appeal (WACA) judgement and desist from claiming Okpe territories. “As a nationality that prides itself as a respecter of the rule of law and court judgements, one would expect the Itsekiri Nation to honour the 1943 WACA judgement,” the union said in a New Year message.
The union accused Itsekiri leaders of renaming Okpe territories with Itsekiri names, citing examples like Etamua becoming Ogunaja, Amua Ogodo becoming Aja Ogodo, and part of Amuokpe becoming Aja-Sagay. “The settler equates himself to the indigenes,” Prof Igho Natufe, President General of Okpe Union Worldwide, said.
The union rubbished Itsekiri claims to indigenous communities in Okpe land, citing a 2020 Delta State Judicial Commission of Enquiry report. The territorial boundary between Okpe and Itsekiri lands is the Hole in the Wall Creek, the union asserted.
The union called on Okpe Traditional Council and political leaders to defend Okpe sovereignty, citing hospitality to Itsekiri refugees during the 1894 “Nana war” as not a license for land claims. “We will strongly defend Okpe territories against intrusions by any ethnic nationality on our sovereignty,” Natufe warned.
The union urged Okpe leaders, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, to promote Okpe interests. “The appellation ‘Sapele Okpe Community’ should be changed to Sapele Indigenes Association,” the union suggested.
