Tension Rises Between Itsekiri, Okpe Kingdoms Over Sapele Sub-Palace

Tensions are escalating between the Itsekiri and Okpe kingdoms in Delta State following the construction of a sub-palace in Sapele.

The Alema of Warri Kingdom, Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, has warned the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom that building the palace in the disputed area could spark a communal clash. Despite this, the Orodje has continued with the project, laying the foundation in Sapele, which the Itsekiri people consider part of their ancestral land.

Chief Uduaghan has publicly challenged the claim that Sapele belongs solely to the Okpe people, referencing historical evidence that supports Itsekiri ownership. He argues that the Okpe kingdom’s actions undermine long-standing traditions and could lead to further unrest in the region.