Sapele-Okpe Community Reject Alleged Secret Recognition of Fifth Quarter

Members of the Sapele-Okpe Community in Sapele Local Government Area have removed their confidence in the executive committee headed by Chief Onoriode Temiagin over allegations of a clandestine amendment to the community’s constitution. The controversy centres on claims that Otonyasere was recognised as a fifth quarter without broad consultation or approval.

The decision was taken at a packed stakeholders’ meeting attended by key figures, including Senator Ede Dafinone, who also chairs the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association, alongside Dr. Kingsley Abeke, Ufuoma Atose, Ovo Abeke, Bright Abeke, Chief Tom Anirah, Youth President Obomine Ekariko and Chief G. Dafinone.

Participants voiced fears that altering the constitution amid an unresolved land dispute in the Forest Reserve Area could jeopardise the community’s legal position. Senator Dafinone told the gathering that attempts to access the revised constitution yielded no results, and a show of hands indicated that attendees had not seen the document.

He further noted that the land dispute between Sapele-Okpe and Otonyasere has produced favourable rulings for the community at both the High Court and Court of Appeal, with the case pending before the Supreme Court. Despite endorsing the no-confidence motion, members agreed that each of the four quarters would nominate 10 representatives to meet with the chairman and give him an opportunity to respond to the allegations.