Ogheneruona Tejiri/Psalmist Aizighode, Warri
Okpe is a distinct ethnic group that has other other ethnic group like Urhobo as neighbours.
This was disclosed by the executive of the Okpe Union (worldwide) while addressing journalists in Warri, they condemned the recent assertion by some people aligning the Okpe kingdom with the Urhobo ethnic group in Delta State.
The group said that Okpe kingdom was a separate ethnic group and should never be group with any ethnic nationality in the state or the world at large.
The statement of the group was signed by Mr Francis Redemi, 1st Deputy President-General and Mr Kingsley Akpederin, General Secretary and seven others.
The statement was read by Mr Victor Oruno, the National Publicity Secretary of the Union.
The association alleged that Chief Isaac Itebu, 1st Deputy President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union, Chief Robert Onome, former President-General of Okpe Union (worldwide) and two others had recently convened a press conference herein they announced that “enough is enough, Okpe is Urhobo”.
The Union maintained that Okpe kingdom is a unique ethnic group that had it’s distinctive roots in ancient history, tradition, culture, custom and language.
According to them, Okpe had it’s identity dialect totally different from the Urhobo language.
They described Itebu, Onome and their cohorts as impostors who do not have the locus standi to speak on behalf of the Okpe kingdom.
They equally described the purported press conference as fraudulent, misguided and political chants.
“In the press conference held on July 30, 2025 at Orerokpe, Itebu and his cohorts announced that enough is enough, Okpe is Urhobo.
“It’s worthy to mention that none of the organisers, signatories and attendees of the Itebu and Onome press conference is qualified to speak on behalf of the Okpe people and ethnic nationality in Delta.
“They argued that all Okpe people must now join Urhobo as a fussed ethnicity, to belong to the All Progress Congress (APC) and returned President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“It is also reported that the immediate target, going forward was to scuttle the teaching of Okpe language in both primary and secondary schools in the two local government Councils of Okpe land,” they said.
The group noted that the migration and and identities of the Urhobo and Okpe were clearly different.
They noted that based on the different identities, it was therefore, ridiculous for anyone to claim any substantial ancestral connections between them
The group commended notable Okpe personalities who had condemned the outburst of those behind the move to lump Okpe with Urhobo.
According to them, notable personalities have emphasised that Okpe kingdom is a distinct ethnic group and language which is not under any other ethnic group in the world.
The group called on all Okpe people within and in the diaspora to support the leadership of the Union at this critical moment following continuous onslaught by some perceived politicians seeking immediate gratification.
They also recalled that the classification of Delta State of having five major ethnic groups viz: Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko and Anioma.
They said according to the government policy then, all other ethnic groups should be conscripted into any of the five ethnic groups.
The Union said that the policy had since being abolished following the creation of Ika and Ndokwa ethnic groups from Anioma.
They called on Gov.
Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and well-meaning Okpe indigenes to
correct the error of the recent political past in the state which grouped Okpe kingdom under another ethnic group in the Delta Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
They noted that grouping Urhobo and Okpe ethnic groups together in the scheme of things in the Commission, had led to shortchanging of both sides.
“The conscription of Okpe into Urhobo ethnic group is a shortchange to both ethnic groups. The recognition of Okpe will be a win-win to both the Urhobo and Okpe ethnic groups in the Commission.
“The ongoing conscription has deprived the Okpe communities of comparative development as well as access to bursaries and scholarships by our students in the higher institutions.
“To mortgage the future of a people for a miscalculated political narrative is dangerous for the survival of such people.
“We, therefore call on well-meaning Okpe people including the state governor to move to correct the error of grouping Okpe under another ethnic group,” they said
While commending the state government on the imminent take off of the Southern Delta University campus at Orerokpe, the Union also urged the government to consider the completion of the proposed Sapele Polytechnic, Deghele, Elume.
Okpe is a distinct ethnic group that has other other ethnic group like Urhobo as neighbours.
This was disclosed by the executive of the Okpe Union (worldwide) while addressing journalists in Warri, they condemned the recent assertion by some people aligning the Okpe kingdom with the Urhobo ethnic group in Delta State.
The group said that Okpe kingdom was a separate ethnic group and should never be group with any ethnic nationality in the state or the world at large.
The statement of the group was signed by Mr Francis Redemi, 1st Deputy President-General and Mr Kingsley Akpederin, General Secretary and seven others.
The statement was read by Mr Victor Oruno, the National Publicity Secretary of the Union.
The association alleged that Chief Isaac Itebu, 1st Deputy President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union, Chief Robert Onome, former President-General of Okpe Union (worldwide) and two others had recently convened a press conference herein they announced that “enough is enough, Okpe is Urhobo”.
The Union maintained that Okpe kingdom is a unique ethnic group that had it’s distinctive roots in ancient history, tradition, culture, custom and language.
According to them, Okpe had it’s identity dialect totally different from the Urhobo language.
They described Itebu, Onome and their cohorts as impostors who do not have the locus standi to speak on behalf of the Okpe kingdom.
They equally described the purported press conference as fraudulent, misguided and political chants.
“In the press conference held on July 30, 2025 at Orerokpe, Itebu and his cohorts announced that enough is enough, Okpe is Urhobo.
“It’s worthy to mention that none of the organisers, signatories and attendees of the Itebu and Onome press conference is qualified to speak on behalf of the Okpe people and ethnic nationality in Delta.
“They argued that all Okpe people must now join Urhobo as a fussed ethnicity, to belong to the All Progress Congress (APC) and returned President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
“It is also reported that the immediate target, going forward was to scuttle the teaching of Okpe language in both primary and secondary schools in the two local government Councils of Okpe land,” they said.
The group noted that the migration and and identities of the Urhobo and Okpe were clearly different.
They noted that based on the different identities, it was therefore, ridiculous for anyone to claim any substantial ancestral connections between them
The group commended notable Okpe personalities who had condemned the outburst of those behind the move to lump Okpe with Urhobo.
According to them, notable personalities have emphasised that Okpe kingdom is a distinct ethnic group and language which is not under any other ethnic group in the world.
The group called on all Okpe people within and in the diaspora to support the leadership of the Union at this critical moment following continuous onslaught by some perceived politicians seeking immediate gratification.
They also recalled that the classification of Delta State of having five major ethnic groups viz: Urhobo, Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko and Anioma.
They said according to the government policy then, all other ethnic groups should be conscripted into any of the five ethnic groups.
The Union said that the policy had since being abolished following the creation of Ika and Ndokwa ethnic groups from Anioma.
They called on Gov.
Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and well-meaning Okpe indigenes to
correct the error of the recent political past in the state which grouped Okpe kingdom under another ethnic group in the Delta Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC).
They noted that grouping Urhobo and Okpe ethnic groups together in the scheme of things in the Commission, had led to shortchanging of both sides.
“The conscription of Okpe into Urhobo ethnic group is a shortchange to both ethnic groups. The recognition of Okpe will be a win-win to both the Urhobo and Okpe ethnic groups in the Commission.
“The ongoing conscription has deprived the Okpe communities of comparative development as well as access to bursaries and scholarships by our students in the higher institutions.
“To mortgage the future of a people for a miscalculated political narrative is dangerous for the survival of such people.
“We, therefore call on well-meaning Okpe people including the state governor to move to correct the error of grouping Okpe under another ethnic group,” they said
While commending the state government on the imminent take off of the Southern Delta University campus at Orerokpe, the Union also urged the government to consider the completion of the proposed Sapele Polytechnic, Deghele, Elume.
