In the social structure of Ekpeye, the smallest political/social unit is the house called Elezhi or Udho and is headed by the eldest man called Nye-nwe-elezhi of Nye-nwe-udho. A number of such houses (udho) in a contiguous geographical area constitute a larger political unit or communal ward called Obodo. There are no physical or visible boundaries such as walls, fences, etc. to separate these obodos, in a particular community. A number of such obodos in a geographic area is called Ula, ruled by the Nye-new-ele or Nye-new-ul.