Obotie Warns Okpe Against Stirring Ethnic Tensions, Calls on Oborevwori to Act

The Elders Council of the Obotie community in Sapele Local Government Area in Delta State has strongly condemned recent comments made by Chief Onoriode Temiagin, Chairman of the Okpe community, following his call for the dismissal of Edwin Uzor, the Special Adviser to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution.

At a press briefing on Tuesday, January 21, the Obotie Elders Council dismissed Temiagin’s accusations of bias against Uzor, describing them as unfounded and deliberately provocative. Temiagin had claimed that Uzor’s handling of the controversial Okpe-Urhobo Forest Reserve dispute and SEPLAT energy operations was unfairly skewed in favor of the Obotie community, following the release of a government white paper on the matter.

However, the report from a judicial panel of inquiry, which investigated the dispute, found that the Okpe community’s claim to ownership of the forest reserve lacked legal substantiation. The report indicated that the forest reserve had been occupied by multiple communities, including Obotie, long before its designation as a protected area.

The Obotie Elders Council argued that Temiagin’s statements were part of a broader effort to stir up ethnic division and undermine the Governor’s efforts at fostering peace in the region.

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“The Special Adviser to the Governor has been fair, unbiased, and committed to achieving a peaceful resolution,” said Pa. Simeon Brikinn, Chairman of the Obotie Elders Council.

The council also warned that Temiagin’s inflammatory comments could lead to further violence, recalling past instances where the Obotie community had been subjected to coordinated attacks by the Sapele-Okpe community. “Chief Temiagin’s subtle threat of war is not new to us,” the council stated, adding that the community has endured repeated acts of aggression from the Okpe faction.

The council further pointed to historical legal rulings, including a 1925 Supreme Court decision, which affirmed the Obotie community’s ownership of the land in question. They called on Temiagin to cease spreading falsehoods and inciting conflict, and urged international oil companies to consult with local landowners before acquiring land in the region.

Samuel Atiwe, Chairman of the Obotie Management Council, also took aim at the Sapele-Okpe community’s alleged collaboration with SEPLAT to undermine Obotie’s claims to benefits from the company’s operations in the region. “It is SEPLAT we have issues with, not Okpe, they should address the issues directly and not use the Okpe community as their spokesperson.” Atiwe said.

The council’s statement expresses concern over escalating tensions between the two communities and urges Governor Oborevwori to take immediate action to address the situation.

“We urge the Governor to treat these allegations, being peddled by the Sapele-Okpe community, as sinister and callous,” the Obotie Elders Council said.

The Obotie community reiterated its support for Governor Oborevwori, noting that his leadership represents the interests of all citizens, not just one ethnic group.

Meanwhile, observers believe the Governor’s swift intervention is crucial to preventing further escalation of ethnic tensions in the region, as he has consistently advocated for unity and peaceful coexistence among the diverse ethnic groups in the State.