There are various versions about how the people of Ekpan got here but what is common in all the narratives is that one Izegbo, was the first person to immigrate to the present day Ekpan. This narrative did not say whether Izegbo came with his family.
One version says Izegbo and his Warrior teams were on the run from Uvwierorho(Effurun-otor). That was the period when Ogoni, one of the sons of Ovie Eruowho was alleged to have murdered his brother Ovwaro Eruowho and took over the reins of power in Effurun-otor. Some of the Izegbo teams didn’t stay permanently in Ekpan, they continued their journey until they got to where they could no longer move forward and they called the place Madjebarhe(which mean we can no longer run) which is the present Edjeba.
There is another version which says Izegbo was a fugitive son of the Oba of Benin who escaped to Ekpan after he was declared wanted by the Oba for unexplained crime. Izegbo was said to have strange mystical powers. He was met by Okwefe and Ikporo when they escaped from Uvwierorho during the tyrannical rule Ogoni Eruowho.
Over several decades there were inter-marriages between the original Uvwie people with their neighbours. That is why today we have several families in Ekpan with mixed parentage
Meanwhile, how Eyaye and Edjekuvwie become first ruling houses in Ekpan has various controversial versions. One version claims that Edjekuvwe rose to prominent through intrigues and murder. He became the first Unuevworo of Ekpan, but he never formally took title as a chief.
That version is disputed by those who say Eyaye, the matriarch was a powerful trader and very wealthy and was the key to the Unuevworoship of Ekpan. She was reported to have used her wealth to promote the interest of her family with most of her children marrying loyalties from the neighbouring communities as well as buying the Unuevworo title from Benin for her elder brother, Edjekuvwie.
The narrative seems to be more believable that is why Eyaye, who is a junior sister to Edjekuvwie is given more prominence in the leadership structure of Ekpan where her elder sister, Ukiren and junior brother, Onoruakpor where not considered in the first line of leadership.
The Eyaye Ruling House has five branches namely, in order of seniority, 1, Ukiren(Female), 2. Ogudje(Male), 3. Ajobeya(Female), Avwior(female) and Onoruakpor(Male). Of interest here is Avwior, Eyaye’s daughter who later got marriage to one of Uvwaro-Eruowho descendant. All the others were direct brothers and sisters except Ogudje
The various persons who have held the post of Unuevworo are as follows..
- Chief Edjekuvwie Okperibo
2. Chief Efemuaye Edjekuvwie
3. Chief Emeruobe Eridje – Eyaye
4. Chief Iyanyan Ogudje – Eyaye
5. Chief Abesan Gbegabje – Eyaye
6. Chief Okogho Akemu own merit
7 Chief Usiravwore Iffie – Edjekuvwie
8. Chief Jackson Ovworen Ikaka – Edjekuvwie
During these reigns, there were only two Ruling Houses. Ovwowho family then only produced the Usiavwre.
Ovwowho was made a Ruling House in 1964 and Chief Akikan became the 1st Unuevworoh from that branch.
9 Chief Akikon Idjai – Ovwowho
- Chief Omagbe Agbofordoh – Eyaye
11. Chief Mike Torey – Edjekuvwie
12. Chief Newton Agbofordoh – Ovwowho
On Saturday, 21st March, 2020, Chief Hon. Peter Udubrekpe Iffie, who is maternally from the Eyaye Ruling house will be installed as the 13th Unuevworo of Ekpan after a complex and unprecedented selection/election process which saw him defeating some other prominent sons despite the fact that he was considered a dark horse. The process which was supervised by Chief(Dr.) George J. Amurun, JP. the Family Head and Esirierha of Alegbor was considered as the most transparent, free and fair selection/election process
HON. PETERS UDUBREKPE IFFIE, a descendant of EDJEKUVWIE and EYAYE ruling houses, both of Ekpan, was born in the city of Ekpan on the 1st day of January, 1969 by Mr. and Mrs. Lawson Iffie of blessed memories
He began his educational career in 1974 at Okugbe Primary School Ekpan where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and thereafter obtained his West African School Certificate (W.A.S.C.) at St. Peters Cleaver’s College, Aghalokpe in 1988
In furtherance of his educational carrier he got admission into the Delta state university, Abraka where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Political science in 1997
In honour of this nation, he went for the mandatory national youth service in 1998 in kebbi state
On return from his national duties, he was elected Councilor in 1999 and represented ward 9 in Uvwie Local Government Council, Delta State. Between 1999-2002, he was Chief Whip and supervisor for works. In June 2003, the Delta State government appointed him as Vice-Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Delta State. While in May 2008, he was Elected Vice-Chairman, Uvwie Local Government Council, Delta State.
He was one time national delegate of the defunct Social Democratic Party – Okpe LGA before the creation of Uvwie LGA.
HON. PETERS UDUBREKPE IFFIE is the Chairman/Managing Director of a host of companies including; Petlaff Int’l Ltd, an oil servicing company, Voltron construction and Development Company limited, VCDC gas limited, etc.
Currently he is the Senior Special Assistant on Community Development to the Delta State Government under the able leadership of his Excellency Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the executive governor of Delta state
HON. PETERS UDUBREKPE IFFIE is married and blessed with a daughter
