By John Ikani
The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, yesterday removed Chief Ayiri Emami as Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.
The Egogo (mouthpiece) of Warri Kingdom, Chief Robinson Ariyo, told newsmen that Chief Emami was officially ousted on Tuesday afternoon in a brief traditional ceremony at the palace of the revered monarch.
Going by this development, Ayiri Emami is no longer Ologbotsere of the kingdom.
The erstwhile holder of the title would no longer be addressed as such across Itsekiri kingdom and other parts of the world.
The monarch made the pronouncement before descendants of the Ologbotsere family at a meeting in his palace.
He said: “We have taken time to ponder and have arrived at our final decision.”
Reading the Olu’s position, Chief Brown Mene said: “It is the respect the monarch has for the Ologbotsere descendants that is why he called you. It is the king that gives chieftaincy titles. It is also the king that withdraws titles. This has been the tradition.
“There are several Ologbotsere’s children that are chiefs. The Ologbotsere family is very dear to the monarch. There is no Ologbotsere title again. The head of the Ologbotsere title can answer the nickname. It is the pronouncement of the king and Itsekiri nation. There will be peace, blessings in the land.
“There is no Ologbotsere, again nobody should parade in that title. You remember the king dissolved the Council of Chiefs and has been re admitting revalidating titles and has also reconstituted the council of Chiefs. Nobody should relate with anyone in the title as Ologbotsere.”
What you should know
Chief Ayirimi Emami, it will be recalled, came short of favour with the Olu throne and a good number of the Itsekiri nation after mounting resistance on the selection of the new Olu due to the monarch’s maternal heritage.
Denouncing the purported expulsion on Tuesday, the embattled Ologbotsere, Chief Emami, in a telephone conversation with newsmen, described the decision of the Olu of Warri as one that has “crossed the red line.”
He insisted that he does not recognise Ogiame Atuwatse III as his king since, according to him, the new Olu’s selection before his coronation was without adherence to extant laws and traditions.
“The Ologbotsere family is meeting on Thursday to deliberate on this. Thereafter, I’ll give you an adequate reply.
“But it suffices that I tell you now that I don’t recognise the Olu as my king because his selection didn’t follow due process.
“So, I don’t recognise whatever he’s doing as king. I don’t want to say more because the case is still in the court,” Chief Emami noted.
