By Emma Amaize

WARRI—SAPELE-OKPE community in Delta State has been factionalised into Senator David Dafinone camp and Mr. Michael Egbejule camp following accusation and counter-accusation of misappropriation of N5.2 million.

While those loyal to Chief Dafinone, who is the chairman of the Sapele-Okpe Community Land Trust, are demanding the removal of Egbejule from office, those opposed to such move argue that the elder statesman should stop interfering with the community’s leadership.

A source said Dafinone only intervened to settle the rift between the chairman and Etamua youths, including other interest groups, who accused the former of embezzling community funds and abuse of office.

However, some opposing youths, who maintained that Dafinone was interfering, attacked him at the community’s secretariat, an action that worsened the rift.

Though Chief Dafinone described the action of the youths who manhandled him as misguided as his intervention was to make peace and ensure that peace prevailed in the community, Mr. Egbejule dismissed his claim, saying the crisis was stage-managed to get him out of office.