SEPLAT: Community Leaders Urge Governor Oborevwori to Disregard Sapele Okpe Community’s Claims

Leaders from Abigborodo, Obotie, and Ugbekoko communities have called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to ignore recent allegations made by the Sapele Okpe Community, describing them as baseless and misleading.

In a strongly worded statement released on Friday, the community leaders accused the Sapele Okpe Community of engaging in misinformation and defamation. They stated that the Sapele Okpe leaders had falsely implicated the Alema of Warri, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, in a bid to manipulate public perception.

The leaders said that SEPLAT Energy had aligned itself with the Sapele Okpe Community to hinder an unbiased investigation into land disputes surrounding SEPLAT’s operations. According to the statement, SEPLAT avoided a scheduled joint visit to the disputed site and allegedly provided support to the Sapele Okpe leaders to control the narrative.

“It is evident that SEPLAT is working in connivance with the Sapele Okpe Community to frustrate efforts at uncovering the truth,” the leaders stated. “Their refusal to participate in the joint inspection is proof that they have something to hide.”

The Itsekiri leaders further criticized the Sapele Okpe Community’s calls for the removal of Chief Edwin Uzor, stating that the request was an attempt to obstruct the investigation into SEPLAT’s drilling operations. They emphasized that the investigation team had acted fairly and impartially, refuting claims of bias.

The statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of Abigborodo Management Committee, Hon Misan Ukubeyinje, ESQ and Mr Victor Atseponu, also dismissed the Sapele Okpe Community’s claims of land ownership in the Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve, arguing that all legal disputes over the area had been settled in the Delta State Government White Paper No. 1 of 2021. According to the Itsekiri leaders, Sapele Okpe’s claims were unfounded, as the disputed land falls within the traditional territory of Abigborodo, Obotie, and Ugbekoko communities.

“We have the records, we have the history, and we have the law on our side,” the statement read. “The Delta State Government White Paper of 2021 already settled these issues, and no amount of falsehood can change the facts.”

Leaders from Ugbekoko Community reiterated their position that the majority of SEPLAT Sapele West Limited’s upstream petroleum operations are located within their land, including flow stations, jetties, and drilling sites. They vowed to resist any illegal incursions by the Sapele Okpe Community.

In response to statements by Chief Onoriode Temiagin and Mr. Azan Friday, the leaders of Abigborodo, Obotie, and Ugbekoko communities accused them of distorting facts to serve personal and political interests. They argued that the judicial commission of inquiry into the Okpe Sobo Forest Reserve had already addressed the matter, confirming that multiple communities—not just the Sapele Okpe—had historical claims to the land.

“The judicial commission of inquiry was clear in its findings,” the statement emphasized. “This land has never belonged solely to the Sapele Okpe Community, and any claim to the contrary is a deliberate falsehood.”

The Obotie Community leadership further denounced what they described as an orchestrated campaign to exclude them from the benefits of SEPLAT’s operations. They condemned attempts by the Sapele Okpe Community to exert undue influence over SEPLAT and government officials to sideline legitimate stakeholders.

The Itsekiri leaders urged Governor Oborevwori to disregard what they termed “false cries of wolves” by the Sapele Okpe Community. They emphasized their willingness to cooperate with government investigations and reaffirmed their rightful ownership of the land in contention.

Furthermore, the leaders warned against further provocations, stating that any illegal encroachments would be resisted within the confines of the law. “We are peace-loving people,” they declared. “But we will not sit idly by while our rights are trampled upon.”

They called on SEPLAT to acknowledge their host community status and to engage fairly with all affected stakeholders.

As tensions remain high, the Itsekiri leaders concluded their statement by reaffirming their commitment to peace and due process, urging the Delta State government to uphold justice and prevent unnecessary conflicts in the region.