Okpe Union Disowns Delta Council Member, Others

Okpe Union has disowned the 1st Deputy President General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) and former Secretary of the Delta State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Isaac Itebu, and others over a press conference where they declared that Okpe was part of Urhobo ethnic nationality.
In a press statement issued in Warri, the Union also disowned Chief Robert Onome, member of Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council; Mr. Harrison Ekeleme, the immediate-past President General of Amuokpe District of Okpe Kingdom; and Mr. Moses Odiete, the President of the Okpe Youths Progressive Association.
The Union said they were speaking for Okpe people of Delta State and insisted that Okpe was not Urhobo. It said the people who addressed a press conference at Orerokpe, were not qualified to speak on behalf of the Okpe people and ethnic nationality of Delta State.
The statement was signed by Mr. Francis O. Redemi, 1st Deputy President General; Mr. Omamurhomu Ayaruja, 2nd Deputy President General; Dr. Lucky Akpere, 3rd Deputy President General; Mr. Bernard Adibor, 4th Deputy President General; Mr. Kingsley Akpederin, General Secretary; and Mr. Victor Oruno, National Publicity Secretary, Okpe Union (Worldwide).
Madam Grace E. Dinna, National Women Coordinator; Comrade Mary O. Pender, National Youths Coordinator; and Comrade David Ajuja, National Secretary, Okpe Union Youths (Worldwide) also signed the statement.
“Chief Isaac Itebu who opted to contest for the position of 1st Deputy President General of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) perhaps on his being partly Urhobo, is not a member of any of the branches of the Okpe Union and does not hold any position in the Okpe Union. He, as first Deputy President General of the UPU, a different Ethnic Union, cannot speak on behalf of the Okpe Ethnic Nationality,” the statement said.
The representatives of the National Executive Council of the Okpe Union (Worldwide) led by Prof. Igho Natufe, President General of the Okpe Union (Worldwide) said Onome was not capable of representing Okpe nation let alone speak on her behalf.
It said the tenure of Chief Onome, who was elected in 2016 as the President General of the Okpe Union, elapsed in November, 2020 and could not return nearly five years after to parade himself as President General of the Okpe Union when he did not seek reelection.
“The Residue of Tenure Ruling from the Delta State High Court, Orerokpe for him for a maximum of 47 days from 14th of March 2025, expired on the 30th of April, 2025,” the statement said.
The Okpe People’s Forum (OPF), which Chief Robert Onome was a member, announced his suspension from the organization after he purportedly signed a press statement purporting that Okpe was Urhobo, the statement said.
Turning to Mr. Harrison Ekeleme, who signed on behalf of the leadership of the 13 Districts of Okpe Kingdom, the statement said he had completed his tenure as President General of Amuokpe District of Sapele Local Government Area and handed over to a successor, Hon. Eruteyan Ohiambe in April, 2025
“How logical is it for anyone to accept it that the same person who had handed over to his successor nearly four months ago, would still parade himself as the Chairman of an arranged Forum of Presidents General of the 13 Districts of Okpe Kingdom?” the statement queried.
It said members of Okpe Youths Council have not been happy with Moses Odiete, the President General of Okpe Youths Council since he signed the Orerokpe press statement.
It said Mr. Odiete’s action has now thrown the Okpe Youths Council into a crisis and wished that the council would survive the turmoil.
The Okpe Union is the oldest registered Ethnic Union in Nigeria, having been established in 1930 and registered in 1934. It is the umbrella Socio-cultural Organization of the indigenes of Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas of Delta State.