Members of the Sapele-Okpe community in Sapele Local Government Area have passed a vote of no confidence in the executive committee led by Chief Onoriode Temiagin, accusing it of secretly amending the community’s constitution.
At the heart of the dispute are allegations that Otonyasere was designated as a fifth quarter without proper consultation or the approval of the wider community.
The resolution was reached during a well-attended stakeholders’ meeting that drew prominent figures, including Senator Ede Dafinone, who also serves as chairman of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust Association, as well as Dr. Kingsley Abeke, Ufuoma Atose, Ovo Abeke, Bright Abeke, Chief Tom Anirah, Youth President Obomine Ekariko and Chief G. Dafinone.
Several speakers warned that changing the constitution while a land dispute over the Forest Reserve Area remains unresolved could weaken the community’s legal standing. Senator Dafinone informed attendees that efforts to obtain a copy of the amended constitution were unsuccessful, and a show of hands showed that no one present had seen the document.
He added that in the ongoing land dispute between Sapele-Okpe and Otonyasere, the community has secured favourable judgments at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal, with the matter now awaiting determination at the Supreme Court. Although members backed the no-confidence motion, they also agreed that each of the four quarters would nominate 10 representatives to meet with the chairman, giving him a chance to address the allegations.
