By John Ikani
The Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has dissolved all Traditional council, committees and sub-committees across Warri Kingdom.
This was contained in a statement issued from the royal palace in Warri dated September 1, with the seal of the office of the Monarch.
The development comes 10 days after the 21st Olu was coronated in Ode-Itsekiri, Warri South Council Area of Delta state.
The 37-year-old Olu of Warri, who is the first son of late Atuwatse II, in the statement, cited Section 25 of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law Capt. 2, Law of Delta State of Nigeria, 2008, to back his decision.
He added that a revalidation and confirmation exercise will commence September 2, 2021.
The statement read in part, “I, Atuwatse Ogiame III, hereby, announce, for the information of the general public, the Delta State government and particularly, the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Committees, the dissolution of all Traditional Councils, Committees, Sub-committees and the scheduled exercise of revalidation/confirmation effective from 2nd day of September 2021.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Warri Council of Chiefs, the Olu-in-Council, all standing adhoc and Sub-committees are dissolved forthwith.
“The mandatory revalidation/confirmation of Chieftaincy titles shall commence on the 2nd day of September, 2021.
“The timetable for the revalidation and confirmation exercise shall be made available at the Palace Secretariat from the 1st day of September, 2021 and the process of registration of all chieftaincy titles with the prescribed authority in accordance with section 25 of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law (supra) shall follow immediately after the revalidation and confirmation exercise”.
Two palace chiefs, names withheld, confirmed the development, stating that it is the tradition of the kingdom.
However, the development may not sit well for some persons, including the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami who was opposed to the process that saw Atuwatse III emergence as king.
