Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) have filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over “the arbitrary use of the NBC Act and broadcasting code to threaten, revoke and shut down 53 broadcast stations in the country for allegedly failing to renew their licenses.”
Joined in the suit as Defendant is Mr Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture.
The NBC had last week revoked the licenses of the 53 broadcast stations and threatened to shut down their operations within 24 hours over alleged N2.6 billion debt. The NBC has now asked the stations “to pay all outstanding license fees on or before August 23, 2022 or shut down by 12am on August 24.”
In the suit number FHC/L/CS/1582/2022 filed today at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and NGE are asking the court to determine “whether section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the National Broadcasting Act used by NBC to threaten revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shut them down is not in inconsistent and incompatible with freedom of expression and access to information.”
SERAP and NGE are asking the court for “a declaration that section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the National Broadcasting Act used by NBC to threaten to revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and to shut down the broadcast stations is unconstitutional and unlawful, as it violates freedom of expression.”
SERAP and NGE are seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining them, their agents or privies from revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations in the country and shutting their down operations, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.”
In the suit, SERAP and NGE are arguing that: “The provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties on freedom of expression indicate that this right can be exercised through any medium.”
SERAP and NGE are also arguing that, “Effectively, these provisions recognize that every individual has the right to an equal opportunity to receive, seek and impart information through any communication medium without discrimination.”
According to SERAP and NGE, “the use of NBC Act and Code in this case would inadmissibly open the door to arbitrariness and would fundamentally restrict the freedom of expression that is an integral part of the public order protected the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.
The suit filed on behalf of SERAP and NGE by their lawyer Kolawole Oluwadare, read in part: “The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.”
“Indeed, the media has the task of distributing all varieties of information and opinion on matters of general interest.”
“The public has a right to receive and assess this information and opinion independently. Therefore, the existence of a free, independent, vigorous, pluralistic, and diverse media is essential for the proper functioning of a democratic society.”
“According to the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, ‘licensing processes shall seek to promote diversity in broadcasting. Any registration system for the media shall not impose substantive restrictions on the right to freedom of expression.’”
“Revoking the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shutting down their operations because they have not renewed their licenses would both seriously undermine the rights of millions of Nigerians to express their thoughts, and their right to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, in any medium they choose.”
“Freedom of expression includes the public’s right to receive, and the right of those who express themselves through a medium of communication, to impart the greatest possible diversity of information and ideas.”
“The right to freedom of expression is based on the right to establish or use a media outlet to exercise freedom of expression and on society’s right to have access to a free, independent, and pluralistic media that allows for the most and most diverse information.”
“The media, including the affected 53 broadcast stations, serve to distribute Nigerians’ thoughts and information while at the same time allowing them access to the ideas, information, opinions, and cultural expressions of other individuals.”
“The exercise of the right to freedom of expression through the media is a guarantee that is fundamental for advancing the collective deliberative process on public and democratic issues.”
“Therefore, the strengthening of the guarantee of freedom of expression is a precondition for the exercise of other human rights, as well as a precondition to the right to participation to be informed and reasoned.”
“The media including the affected 53 broadcast stations play an essential role, as they allow millions of Nigerians to access both the relevant information and a variety of perspectives that are necessary for reaching reasonable and informed conclusions on matters of public interest.”
“Under the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, freedom and diversity must be guiding principles in the regulation and licensing of broadcasting. The threat to shut down 53 broadcast stations is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with these principles.”
“It is the mass media such as the 53 broadcast stations that make the exercise of freedom of expression a reality. This means that the conditions of its use must conform to the requirements of this freedom.”
“Therefore, any regulation of the media, including licensing, must be evaluated according to the guidelines and directives imposed by the right to freedom of expression.”
“The Plaintiffs recognize the mandates of NBC to regulate broadcasting. However, the exercise of such mandates including renewals or revocation of licenses must follow the thresholds and guidelines set by the right to freedom of expression.”
“The free circulation of ideas and news is not possible except in the context of a plurality of sources of information and media outlets. The lack of plurality in sources of information is a serious obstacle for the functioning of democracy.”
“The NBC Act and Broadcasting Code cannot and should not be used in a manner that is inconsistent and incompatible with plurality of voices, diversity of voices, non-discrimination, and just demands of a democratic society, as well as the public interest.”
“Broadcasting is a means of exercising freedom of expression. Any restrictions on freedom of expression must meet the requirements of legality, necessity, and proportionality.”
“The regulation of broadcasting must aspire to promote and expand the scope of the right to freedom of expression, not restrict it.”
“SERAP and NGE are also asking the court to determine whether by relying on the provisions of section 10(a) of the Third Schedule to the National Broadcasting Act to unilaterally threaten and revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and shutdown the operations of the broadcast stations, over alleged failure to pay their license fees the act of NBC is not an unnecessary and disproportionate sanction.”
SERAP and NGE are therefore asking the court for the following reliefs
- A DECLARATION that the arbitrary and unilateral action by NBC to threaten and or revoke the licenses of the 53 broadcast stations and to shut down their operations because of the alleged failure to pay their license fees is unnecessary and disproportionate sanction, and therefore contrary to the public interest and the guiding principles of freedom of expression.
- A DECLARATION that section 10(a) of the National Broadcasting Act used by NBC to unilaterally revoke the licenses of the broadcast stations and shutdown the stations is a violation of the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed right to fair hearing.
- A DECLARATION that section 10(a) of the National Broadcasting Act or any such other laws enabling NBC to unilaterally revoke the licenses of 53 broadcast stations and to shut down the stations is inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), and therefore null and void to the extent of its inconsistency and incompatibility.
- A DECLARATION that the arbitrary action by NBC to revoke the licenses and shut down the operations of the broadcast stations is directly in conflict with sections 6 and 39(1) of the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, and therefore null and void and ultra vires.
- AN ORDER nullifying and setting aside the directive by NBC to revoke the licenses of the 53 broadcast stations for being inconsistent and incompatible with freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.”
- AN ORDER compelling President Buhari to direct NBC and Mr Mohammed to withdraw the revocation orders in compliance with the provisions of section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
- AN ORDER OF PERPETUAL INJUNCTION restraining President Buhari, NBC, and Mr Muhammed whether jointly or severally or any other authority, person or group of persons from unilaterally revoking the licenses of the 53 broadcast stations and shutting down the stations.”
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.
Kolawole Oluwadare
SERAP Deputy Director
23/8/2022
Lagos, Nigeria
Emails: info@serap-nigeria.org; news@serap-nigeria.org
Twitter: @SERAPNigeria
Website: www.serap-nigeria.org
For more information or to request an interview, please contact us on: +2348160537202
Iyobosa Uwugiaren
General Secretary
Nigerian Guild of Editors
+2348033143902
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE OKPE NATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE OKPE UNION AND THE OKPE NATION.*
BY
*Prof. O. Igho Natufe,*
*President General,*
*Okpe Union.*
August 16, 2022.
*ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED*
Since Sunday, October 3, 2020 when HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, purportedly dissolved the democratically elected National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union, our beloved Okpe Nation has been in a state of disarray. The Orodje’s dissolution decree violates the Constitution of the Okpe Union as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), an act which questions the constitutionality of his imposed interim 9-member executive committee led by Prof. Emurobome Idolor. It is instructive to note that only 2 of the 9 are members of the Okpe Union, a situation which underlines a gross violation of the Constitution of the Okpe Union and a hostile attempt to convert the Okpe Union into an administrative arm of the Palace.
The purpose of this OPEN LETTER is to provide Okpe nationals with a brief but detailed account of the efforts the Okpe Union has made to resolve the impasse with HRM Orhue l. This is to reinforce our previous statements on this subject as well as to stress the commitment of the Okpe Union to the growth and peaceful development of Okpe Nation.
Before the election of the current NEC on May 15, 2021, which I am privileged to lead, and since then, NEC has engaged in the search for peace on several occasions
1.Hon. Okakuro James Augoye, then the Delta State Commissioner of Works, initiated a reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis. In its submission to the Orodje, his committee recommended the recognition of the democratically elected NEC and the dissolution of the Interim Executive Committee led by Prof. Idolor.
2.The Udogun Okpe Committee headed by Okakuro Barr. Isaac Itebu replicated the recommendation of the Augoye reconciliation committee.
3.The Okpe Peace Reconciliation Committee led by Rev. Dr. Charles Osume also arrived at the same recommendation as the above two committees. Members of the Okpe Peace Reconciliation Committee included the late Prof. Ovaborhene Idamoyibo (Secretary), Okakuro Moses Asini, Mr. Moses Akpobasah, Ms. Dora Omuvwie, Prof. Hope Eghagha, and Mr. Phillip Mebradu.
4.Okakuro Barr. Charles Obule also initiated a peace move in June-July 2022. Okakuro Prof. S. Ejite Oyovbaire and Okakuro Paulinus Akpeki represented the Palace. Other participants were Messrs. Iroro Clark and Igho Akeregha, Dr. Lucky Akpere and Barr. Ehensiri Akpederin.
5.It is pertinent to note that, immediately after the election of the current NEC on May 15, 2021, we wrote to the Orodje informing him about the successful Annual General Assembly (AGA) attended by delegates from all the Branches of the Okpe Union, and the election of the new NEC. In the letter we sought his permission to grant us an audience at his earliest convenience for us to pay him a courtesy visit, introduce the new NEC, and apologize for any infractions we might have caused him. We also expressed our readiness and willingness to pay any possible fines he might levy against us. Our request was rejected.
Prior to the intervention of the Rev. Dr. Osume-led Okpe Peace Reconciliation Committee in the search for peace, NEC had gone to court in Sapele praying the Court to restrain members of the Orodje-imposed Interim Executive Committee and its agents from parading themselves as leaders of the Okpe Union. When Rev. Dr. Osume intimated us about his committee’s peace mission, he requested that we withdrew the case from court so as to give peace a chance. We obliged. However, few weeks after we withdrew the case from court, Orodje wrote to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) requesting them to recognize the Interim Executive Committee. This was a plot to oust the democratically elected NEC from CAC. Thus, it was obvious that the intention of the Orodje imposed Interim Executive Committee was not to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict but to gain time in its treacherous move to get CAC to de-register the democratically elected NEC and the legitimate Okpe Union. Faced with this treachery, we elected to lodge a suit at a Federal High Court in Lagos. HRM Orhue l, the Prof. Idolor-led Interim Executive Committee and the CAC were served as joint defendants to appear in court on May 30, 2022 and July 7, 2022, respectively. The case has been adjourned to mid October 2022.
To demonstrate the insincerity of the Orodje-imposed Interim Executive Committee in respecting the court process, they obtained a court order in Abuja for the Okpe Union to appoint Trustees. They did not disclose to the Abuja Federal High Court that they were already defendants in a Lagos Federal High on the same subject. Furthermore, the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union had already lodged an application at the Lagos Federal High Court with similar prayers much earlier, and known to both the CAC and the Prof. Idolor Interim Executive Committee. The certificate of incorporation they got from the CAC was surreptitiously acquired. This issue is being handled via an appropriate channel.
*OKPE UNION POSITION*
1.The position of the Okpe Union has been very clear and unambiguous since the purported dissolution of the NEC by the Orodje on October 3, 2020. The dissolution decree is undemocratic and lacks any constitutionality. It is a dictatorial act which has no place in a democratic polity.
2.The Interim Executive Committee has to be dissolved.
3.There is a modern Okpe Monarchy because there was an Okpe Union that fought for the restoration of the Okpe Monarchy in 1945, after almost 200 years of interregnum.
4.The Okpe Monarchy was not restored to enthrone dictatorship and/or an absolute monarchy.
5.The Okpe monarchy is not an absolute monarchy, but a constitutional monarchy.
6.When the then Major General Felix Mujakperuo campaigned for the Orodjeship, he did so by presenting his democratic credentials in his election by the Orhue Ruling House and his subsequent ratification by Udogun Okpe.
7.Okpe Union, and indeed the entire Okpe Nation, cannot allow a democratically elected Orodje of Okpe Kingdom to crawl into dictatorship reminiscent of the deceased concept of the “divine rights of kings” taking us back to the inglorious reign of Esezi l.
*CALL FOR UNITY*
We call on all members of the Okpe Union to remain calm and steadfast in their dedication to the ideals of the Okpe Union bequeathed to us by our founding fathers.
We also call on all Okpe nationals at home and in Diaspora to associate themselves with the ideals of the Okpe Union by contributing to the strengthening of democratic institutions in Okpe Nation.
Furthermore, we call on all Ekakuro, Ehọvwọre and members of Udogun Okpe to prevail on HRM Orhue l, by advising him to dissolve the Interim Executive Committee as recommended by various peace committees.
*CONCLUDING REMARKS*
Our declaration of Okpe as the most populous mono-ethnic nationality in Delta State is meaningless as long as we remain educationally bankrupt and retarded in growth and development, in comparison to other ethnic nationalities in Delta State. Okpe Union is poised to reverse this disturbing phenomenon by engaging with internal and external stakeholders to achieve this historic objective.
*God bless the Okpe Union.*
*God bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.*
*God bless the Okpe Kingdom.*
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE OKPE NATION:*
*RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE OKPE UNION AND THE OKPE NATION.*
BY
*Prof. O. Igho Natufe,*
*President General,*
*Okpe Union.*
August 16, 2022.
*ALL PROTOCOLS OBSERVED*
Since Sunday, October 3, 2020 when HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, purportedly dissolved the democratically elected National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union, our beloved Okpe Nation has been in a state of disarray. The Orodje’s dissolution decree violates the Constitution of the Okpe Union as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), an act which questions the constitutionality of his imposed interim 9-member executive committee led by Prof. Emurobome Idolor. It is instructive to note that only 2 of the 9 are members of the Okpe Union, a situation which underlines a gross violation of the Constitution of the Okpe Union and a hostile attempt to convert the Okpe Union into an administrative arm of the Palace.
The purpose of this OPEN LETTER is to provide Okpe nationals with a brief but detailed account of the efforts the Okpe Union has made to resolve the impasse with HRM Orhue l. This is to reinforce our previous statements on this subject as well as to stress the commitment of the Okpe Union to the growth and peaceful development of Okpe Nation.
Before the election of the current NEC on May 15, 2021, which I am privileged to lead, and since then, NEC has engaged in the search for peace on several occasions
1.Hon. Okakuro James Augoye, then the Delta State Commissioner of Works, initiated a reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis. In its submission to the Orodje, his committee recommended the recognition of the democratically elected NEC and the dissolution of the Interim Executive Committee led by Prof. Idolor.
2.The Udogun Okpe Committee headed by Okakuro Barr. Isaac Itebu replicated the recommendation of the Augoye reconciliation committee.
3.The Okpe Peace Reconciliation Committee led by Rev. Dr. Charles Osume also arrived at the same recommendation as the above two committees. Members of the Okpe Peace Reconciliation Committee included the late Prof. Ovaborhene Idamoyibo (Secretary), Okakuro Moses Asini, Mr. Moses Akpobasah, Ms. Dora Omuvwie, Prof. Hope Eghagha, and Mr. Phillip Mebradu.
4.Okakuro Barr. Charles Obule also initiated a peace move in June-July 2022. Okakuro Prof. S. Ejite Oyovbaire and Okakuro Paulinus Akpeki represented the Palace. Other participants were Messrs. Iroro Clark and Igho Akeregha, Dr. Lucky Akpere and Barr. Ehensiri Akpederin.
5.It is pertinent to note that, immediately after the election of the current NEC on May 15, 2021, we wrote to the Orodje informing him about the successful Annual General Assembly (AGA) attended by delegates from all the Branches of the Okpe Union, and the election of the new NEC. In the letter we sought his permission to grant us an audience at his earliest convenience for us to pay him a courtesy visit, introduce the new NEC, and apologize for any infractions we might have caused him. We also expressed our readiness and willingness to pay any possible fines he might levy against us. Our request was rejected.
Prior to the intervention of the Rev. Dr. Osume-led Okpe Peace Reconciliation Committee in the search for peace, NEC had gone to court in Sapele praying the Court to restrain members of the Orodje-imposed Interim Executive Committee and its agents from parading themselves as leaders of the Okpe Union. When Rev. Dr. Osume intimated us about his committee’s peace mission, he requested that we withdrew the case from court so as to give peace a chance. We obliged. However, few weeks after we withdrew the case from court, Orodje wrote to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) requesting them to recognize the Interim Executive Committee. This was a plot to oust the democratically elected NEC from CAC. Thus, it was obvious that the intention of the Orodje imposed Interim Executive Committee was not to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict but to gain time in its treacherous move to get CAC to de-register the democratically elected NEC and the legitimate Okpe Union. Faced with this treachery, we elected to lodge a suit at a Federal High Court in Lagos. HRM Orhue l, the Prof. Idolor-led Interim Executive Committee and the CAC were served as joint defendants to appear in court on May 30, 2022 and July 7, 2022, respectively. The case has been adjourned to mid October 2022.
To demonstrate the insincerity of the Orodje-imposed Interim Executive Committee in respecting the court process, they obtained a court order in Abuja for the Okpe Union to appoint Trustees. They did not disclose to the Abuja Federal High Court that they were already defendants in a Lagos Federal High on the same subject. Furthermore, the elected National Executive Council of the Okpe Union had already lodged an application at the Lagos Federal High Court with similar prayers much earlier, and known to both the CAC and the Prof. Idolor Interim Executive Committee. The certificate of incorporation they got from the CAC was surreptitiously acquired. This issue is being handled via an appropriate channel.
*OKPE UNION POSITION*
1.The position of the Okpe Union has been very clear and unambiguous since the purported dissolution of the NEC by the Orodje on October 3, 2020. The dissolution decree is undemocratic and lacks any constitutionality. It is a dictatorial act which has no place in a democratic polity.
2.The Interim Executive Committee has to be dissolved.
3.There is a modern Okpe Monarchy because there was an Okpe Union that fought for the restoration of the Okpe Monarchy in 1945, after almost 200 years of interregnum.
4.The Okpe Monarchy was not restored to enthrone dictatorship and/or an absolute monarchy.
5.The Okpe monarchy is not an absolute monarchy, but a constitutional monarchy.
6.When the then Major General Felix Mujakperuo campaigned for the Orodjeship, he did so by presenting his democratic credentials in his election by the Orhue Ruling House and his subsequent ratification by Udogun Okpe.
7.Okpe Union, and indeed the entire Okpe Nation, cannot allow a democratically elected Orodje of Okpe Kingdom to crawl into dictatorship reminiscent of the deceased concept of the “divine rights of kings” taking us back to the inglorious reign of Esezi l.
*CALL FOR UNITY*
We call on all members of the Okpe Union to remain calm and steadfast in their dedication to the ideals of the Okpe Union bequeathed to us by our founding fathers.
We also call on all Okpe nationals at home and in Diaspora to associate themselves with the ideals of the Okpe Union by contributing to the strengthening of democratic institutions in Okpe Nation.
Furthermore, we call on all Ekakuro, Ehọvwọre and members of Udogun Okpe to prevail on HRM Orhue l, by advising him to dissolve the Interim Executive Committee as recommended by various peace committees.
*CONCLUDING REMARKS*
Our declaration of Okpe as the most populous mono-ethnic nationality in Delta State is meaningless as long as we remain educationally bankrupt and retarded in growth and development, in comparison to other ethnic nationalities in Delta State. Okpe Union is poised to reverse this disturbing phenomenon by engaging with internal and external stakeholders to achieve this historic objective.
*God bless the Okpe Union.*
*God bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.*
*God bless the Okpe Kingdom.*
*OKAKURO ISAACS O. ITEBU’S RESPONSE TO MY LETTER ENTITLED “AN OPEN LETTER TO THE OKPE NATION: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN THE OKPE UNION AND THE OKPE NATION”*
By
*Prof. O. Igho Natufe,*
*President General*
*Okpe Union.*
August 23, 2022.
I am not going to reciprocate by addressing our revered Okakuro Isaacs O. Itebu as “one” Okakuro Isaacs O. Itebu, as he addressed me. It would be denigrating to do so, to borrow a word that featured prominently in his Rejoinder to my “Open Letter to the Okpe Nation” that he referenced. It would also be injurious to the ethics of scholarly discourse anchored on mutual respect. Okakuro Isaacs O. Itebu is our Efeyota of Okpe Kingdom.
Okakuro Isaacs O. Itebu is a brilliant Lawyer, one of the most senior Lawyers in Okpe Kingdom. So, I am sure that he is fully aware of the potential pitfalls in his Rejoinder. I shall draw his attention, and that of the Okpe Nation, to some of these pitfalls in this “A REJOINDER TO A REJOINDER”.
- It is interesting to note that Okakuro Itebu did not contest the position of Okpe Union that, unfortunately, our revered Okpe Monarchy, under the reign of HRM Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, is creeping into an absolute monarchy.
- Furthermore, it should be stressed that the Okpe Union, founded in 1930, and registered on the 13th of December, 1934 under the Land (Perpetual Succession) Ordinance of 1924, long before the restoration of the Throne of Orodje of Okpe Kingdom in 1945, is constitutionally and historically independent of the Udogun Okpe. Okakuro Itebu never contradicted the position that the Okpe Union is a membership organisation and that only its members through their branch delegates elect its leadership.
- To ”declare” patriotic Okpe nationals as ”enemies of the Orodje of Okpe and the Okpe Kingdom”, for speaking truth to power, is not a hallmark of a democratic polity but an argument for a dictatorship. This is a profiling tactic employed by regimes hostile to democratic ethos.
- Okakuro Itebu did not provide any convincing constitutional argument to dispute the position of Okpe Union that the decree of October 3, 2020, signed and issued by the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, purportedly dissolving the democratically elected National Executive Council (NEC) of the Okpe Union, was an illegal act that violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and the Constitution of the Okpe Union.
- The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom does not possess the right and/or authority to interfere in the administration of the Okpe Union or to dissolve the democratically elected NEC of the Okpe Union.
- Okakuro Itebu’s defence that the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom ”didn’t at any time unilaterally dissolve the NEC of the Okpe Union” but that it ”was dissolved by the Orodje-in-Council (Okpe Supreme Council of Chiefs presided over by the Orodje of Okpe)” is a weak postulation that pathetically attempts to separate the Orodje from the Udogun Okpe.
- As a Lawyer, Okakuro Itebu may wish to recall the failed attempt of General Sani Abacha, the (then) Head of State, to dissolve the national executive of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). A Branch of the NBA challenged the constitutional rights of General Abacha to dissolve the national executive of the NBA and appoint its President. Okakuro Itebu is aware of the outcome of that suit against General Abacha diktat. The Orodje’s decree of October 3, 2020 is analogous to General Abacha’s action against the NBA.
- Okakuro Itebu severally repeated the falsehood that the NEC of Okpe Union ”denigrates” the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom in our publications, but he failed to cite any evidence to buttress this malicious allegation. In fact, we, members of the Okpe Union, are defending the virtues of the modern Okpe Monarchy by speaking truth to power, by appealing to the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom to abide by due diligence and the Rule of Law.
- If truth must be told, it is the position of the Okpe Union that certain members of the Okpe traditional class – Ekakuro, are the ones denigrating the Throne of the Okpe Monarchy by their pronouncements and quality of advice they render to the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
- On April 5, 2021, the (then) Chairman of the Sapele Okpe Community, Mr. Patrick Akamovba, Okakuro Onoriode Temiagin (the current Chairman of the Sapele Okpe Community), Mr. Godwin Atose and Okakuro Godfrey Dafinone addressed a press conference to attack the democratically elected NEC of the Okpe Union. Okakuro Godfrey Dafinone declared: “The Orodje can even invoke a curse against them. They should be advised.” (For details of the press conference, please click at this link. SAPELE OKPE COMMUNITY DEBUNKS REPORT, ISSUES WARNING TO IMPOSTOR OKPE UNION GROUP —
- I reacted to this press conference on April 7, 2021, via “AN OPEN LETTER TO THE OKPE NATION”, where I criticized Okakuro Dafinone for his careless statement. Allow me to quote myself. I opined that the speech by Okakuro Dafinone ”raises a fundamental question about the safety of Okpe nationals that dare disagree, justifiably, with the Orodje’s decision, today or tomorrow. As a prominent Okakuro in Okpe Kingdom, his statement suggests two things: either it is the Orodje’s position which he had discussed with HRM; or it is his own advisory position to the Orodje. I do not claim to know the Orodje better than Chief Dafinone, however, I am confident that HRM Orhue I, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom that I know, will NEVER invoke a curse against Okpe nationals, irrespective of their differences. Thus, Chief Dafinone’s advisory is a dangerous postulate in the annals of Okpe History. It recalls the curse placed on the Okpe Nation by Ezezi I. It is my prayer that we are not reverting to that dark age of Okpe History. While I hold HRM, Orhue I in a very high esteem, it is extremely troubling to view the threats of “I will arrest them” and “The Orodje can even invoke a curse against them,” as the quality of advice this group of Okpe leaders and Ekakuro can render to the Orodje. This portends a retrograde path for the Okpe Nation.” Note that I was not the President General of the Okpe Union when I wrote the above referenced piece entitled: “AN OPEN LETTER TO THE OKPE NATION.”
- Information reaching us from reliable sources in the Palace points to dangerous opinions being articulated by certain Ekakuro vis-à-vis the democratically elected NEC of the Okpe Union. Recently, very recently, we were informed that some Ekakuro requested the Orodje to allow them to invoke spiritual powers to deal with members of the democratically elected NEC, but that the Orodje rejected this diabolic request.
- We were also recently informed by a senior Okakuro that a cabal in the Palace has captured HRM, Orhue l, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. It is our prayer that this cabal will be rendered powerless in their machinations against democracy, peace and sustainable development in Okpe Nation.
- We are aware of the actions of certain Ekakuro who constantly write to members of the Okpe Union threatening them that the Orodje will cause their arrest if they remain members of the Okpe Union. This is a pitiful act by a bunch of sycophants attired in Okakuro garments, who believe that is the best way for them to demonstrate their loyalty to the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom. We are sure the Orodje will not condone such sycophancy. These Ekakuro are the ones denigrating the revered Throne of the Okpe Kingdom and the Orodje.
- Okpe Union stands for good governance in Okpe Kingdom, Delta State and in Nigeria. Several senior Ekakuro have informed us of the dictatorial method of conducting meetings of Ekakuro at the Palace. We call for a stop to this practice.
- We are aware of the unscrupulous behaviour of some senior Ekakuro that demand up to 45% of the basic monthly salary of Okpe nationals they help to secure jobs in Okpe Kingdom. This may not be an armed banditry, but it is a nauseatingly shameful monthly extortion of funds from fellow Okpe nationals. These Ekakuro are the ones denigrating the revered Throne of the Okpe Kingdom and the Orodje.
- We are also aware of the decisions of certain Ekakuro in frustrating the employment opportunities of members of the Okpe Union on the excuse that they were acting on the advice of the Orodje. We doubt that the Orodje would authorise such a policy that denies any Okpe national access to employment in Okpe Kingdom. These are the ones denigrating the revered Throne of the Okpe Kingdom and the Orodje.
- Instead of ”warning” the democratically elected NEC of the Okpe Union from speaking truth to power, we invite Okakuro Itebu to warn his fellow Ekakuro from bringing disrepute to the revered Throne of the Okpe Monarchy. They are the ones denigrating the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
In conclusion, our actions and pronouncements are to maintain the autonomy of the Okpe Union and contribute to the strengthening of good governance and democratic practice in Okpe Nation and not, in any way, to denigrate our revered Orodje of Okpe Kingdom.
*God bless the Okpe Union!*
*God bless the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom!*
*God bless the Okpe Kingdom!*
