Members of the Sapele-Okpe Community in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State have unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in the executive committee led by Chairman Chief Onoriode Temiagin. The decision stems from serious allegations that the leadership secretly amended the community's constitution to recognize Otonyasere (also referred to as Oton Iyatsere or similar variants) as a fifth quarter without proper consultations with community members or relevant bodies.
The development unfolded during an aborted monthly community meeting scheduled for Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Okpe Hall in Sapele. Community members who had gathered for the routine assembly instead engaged in extensive deliberations over the reported actions of the executive, which many described as detrimental to the collective interests of the Sapele-Okpe people. Following hours of discussion, those present resolved to express their lack of confidence in the current leadership.
The gathering included several prominent figures from the community, such as Dr. Kingsley Abeke, Secretary of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association; Ufuoma Atose; Ovo Abeke; Bright Abeke; Chief Tom Anirah; Sapele-Okpe Community Youth President Obomine Ekariko; Chief G. Dafinone; and Senator Ede Dafinone, who represents Delta Central Senatorial District and also serves as Chairman of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association.
At the heart of the crisis is the claim that the Temiagin-led executive unilaterally amended the community's constitution to incorporate Otonyasere as an additional quarter. Critics argue that this move was made without broad consultation among the existing four quarters or the Land Trust Association, potentially jeopardizing the community's legal standing and proprietary rights over disputed lands.
Senator Dafinone addressed the assembly, revealing that he and the Trust had repeatedly requested a copy of the purported amended constitution for review over the past year but had been unsuccessful. “For over a year, the Trust has requested a copy of the amended constitution so that we can review it, but as I speak to you, Chief Temiagin is yet to make it available,” he stated. When he asked if any member present had seen the document, the response was a resounding “No,” according to accounts from the meeting.
The senator connected the alleged amendment to an ongoing land dispute involving portions of the Forest Reserve Area between the Sapele-Okpe Community and residents associated with Otonyasere. He noted that the community had secured favorable judgments at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, with the case now pending before the Supreme Court. “We are in court with some residents of Otonyasere for the land in the reserve area. We defeated them in both the High Court and the Appeal Court. The matter is now in the Supreme Court. Where the matter is decided in our favour in the Supreme Court, the land will come back to us,” Dafinone explained.
He cautioned that recognizing Otonyasere as a fifth quarter could be interpreted as a strategic maneuver to undermine the community's position in the apex court. Additionally, concerns were raised about instructions allegedly issued to the community's lawyers to withdraw certain cases where favorable outcomes appeared imminent.
Dafinone further pointed out that the chairman had indefinitely postponed regular monthly meetings upon learning that members intended to seek explanations regarding the constitution amendment and the creation of a new quarter.
Another speaker, Solomon Abeke, accused the executive of high-handedness and autocratic administration, claiming that the chairman and select members were governing without adequate regard for broader community input.
During deliberations, opinions varied: some advocated for issuing a formal warning and allowing the chairman to respond to the allegations, while others insisted on the immediate vote of no confidence to protect communal interests. Ultimately, the vote was adopted unanimously, eliciting loud approval from those present.
In the spirit of fairness and due process, Senator Dafinone appealed for the chairman to be given an opportunity to defend himself against the accusations. The community therefore resolved that each of the four existing quarters would nominate 10 representatives to engage Chief Temiagin and afford him a platform to address the issues raised.
The outcome of this planned engagement is anticipated to shape the next steps in addressing the leadership crisis within the Sapele-Okpe Community. The situation highlights deeper tensions over governance, transparency, and land rights in the area, amid a history of communal claims and legal battles in Sapele and surrounding regions.
Sapele-Okpe Community, predominantly of Okpe (Urhobo) extraction, has long asserted exclusive indigenous ownership of lands in Sapele, including areas subject to historical forest reserves and recent disputes involving neighboring or resident groups. The current impasse underscores ongoing challenges in community leadership and the management of collective assets in Delta State's multi-ethnic landscape.
No immediate response has been reported from Chief Onoriode Temiagin or his executive team regarding the vote of no confidence or the allegations. Stakeholders are closely monitoring developments as the nominated representatives prepare for dialogue, with hopes that the process will restore unity and transparency in community affairs.
