Abuja – The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union (Worldwide) has reiterated its demand for the formal recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality, following recent public remarks by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. In a statement issued on November 15, 2025, the union said its leadership carefully examined the monarch’s comments and revisited documented historical accounts that trace the evolution and development of the Okpe people.
“The recent public statement could create misunderstanding about Okpe origins,” the union warned, while emphasizing that its position is grounded in long‑standing records and research highlighting Okpe’s unique history, language and cultural heritage.
The NEC recalled that the Orodje had previously championed Okpe identity, encouraging initiatives to promote the culture and language, including participation in major conferences and the approval of resolutions that championed Okpe self‑identification. The union cited speeches delivered between 2006 and 2007 in which the Orodje described Okpe as a “unique ethnic nationality” with deep historical ties to the Benin Kingdom but distinct in language, customs and traditions.
Historical studies commissioned during the Orodje’s reign describe Okpe as an autonomous group whose lineage traces back to Okpe, the progenitor whose four sons – Orhue, Orhoro, Evbreke and Esezi – founded the present kingdom. These works assert that Okpe is linguistically and culturally distinct from neighbouring ethnic groups.
The union also referenced documented migratory waves from the Benin Kingdom into the Delta Central Senatorial District, noting that Okpe migration occurred later than earlier settlements commonly associated with Urhobo groups, thereby strengthening the claim of separate origins and independent development. The founding of the Okpe Kingdom by the four princely brothers was highlighted as a key moment affirming autonomy.
Colonial administrative decisions that grouped different ethnic nationalities under broader labels were said to have contributed to long‑term misconceptions about Okpe identity, a situation the union compared to the historical classification of groups such as the Isoko, who later reclaimed recognition as a distinct people.
Affirming the uniqueness of the Okpe Nation, the union explained that its people share a common ancestry, language, culture and traditions, all of which align with established characteristics of ethnic nationalities. It stressed that the Okpe Kingdom possesses a defined territory, a functioning traditional institution and a cohesive population historically tied to its founding families.
Calling for unity, the NEC urged all Okpe people worldwide to remain committed to the ongoing advocacy for formal recognition of Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. “We must preserve the cultural and historical values handed down by our founding ancestors and maintain the role of the Okpe monarchy as a symbol of collective unity and heritage,” the statement read.
The statement was signed by Prof. O. Igho Natufe, President General; Barrister Kingsley Ehensiri Akpederin, General Secretary; and Barrister Victor Oruno, National Publicity Secretary of the Okpe Union (Worldwide).
