Etanabene’s Bill To Rename Sapele, Okpe LGAs Receives Backing From Delta Mass Movement

By Endurance Ikanone

The Delta Mass Movement (DMM) in Sapele has commended the member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, for sponsoring a bill seeking to rename Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas as Okpe West and Okpe East respectively.

The group described the proposed legislation as a welcome development that would strengthen the cultural identity, historical heritage and collective aspirations of the Okpe people.

Speaking on behalf of the movement, the Coordinator of Delta Mass Movement, Mr. Eyimofe Blessing, said the bill was a bold and progressive step towards correcting historical misconceptions and giving constitutional recognition to the identity of the people.

Etanabene had sponsored House of Representatives Bill 1314 (HB 1314), a constitutional amendment bill seeking to substitute the names “Okpe” and “Sapele” with “Okpe East” and “Okpe West” respectively in Part I of the First Schedule of the 1999 Constitution. The bill has already passed second reading in the House of Representatives and was referred to the Committee on Constitution Review for further legislative action.

According to Mr. Blessing, the proposal reflects the historical and cultural realities of the area and aligns with longstanding aspirations among many Okpe people who desire greater recognition of their heritage.

He noted that beyond administrative considerations, the proposed name change would serve as a unifying factor for the people and help preserve the rich history of Okpe Kingdom for future generations.

“The Delta Mass Movement wholeheartedly welcomes this bill. It is a positive development that speaks to the cultural identity and historical roots of our people. We commend Hon. Benedict Etanabene for demonstrating leadership and commitment to issues that affect the heritage and identity of the Okpe nation,” he said.

Blessing added that the proposal should not be viewed through a political lens alone, stressing that it represents an opportunity to promote cultural consciousness and deepen the sense of belonging among the people.

He urged stakeholders, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents across the affected local government areas to support the legislative process and engage constructively whenever public consultations are held.

The DMM coordinator further expressed confidence that the constitutional amendment would contribute to preserving the identity of the Okpe people while promoting unity and peaceful coexistence among all communities in the area.

The proposed legislation seeks to rename Okpe Local Government Area as Okpe East and Sapele Local Government Area as Okpe West, a move proponents say is intended to align the constitutional names of the councils with the historical identity and aspirations of the people.

Mr. Blessing reiterated that the bill deserves broad support, describing it as a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of Okpe Kingdom and ensure that future generations remain connected to their history and ancestral identity.