By Emeka Okafor
The palace of Olu of Warri has reacted to the purported demise of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, saying the Itsekiri monarch is not dead.
Director of Palace Administration, Chief Clement Maleghemi, told journalists at a press conference in Warri on Tuesday that the traditional ruler is “indisposed and currently receiving medical care.”
Ikenwoli, who last week completed his 5th coronation anniversary ceremonies, was said to have joined his ancestors on Monday morning.
Reports say the monarch was said to have died from COVID-19 complication at one of the popular private hospital in Warri.
However, Chief Maleghemi, who merely read out a two-paragraph statement at the press conference, claimed the Warri monarch is being attended to by medical specialists where he is being treated.
The Director of Palace Administration said subsequent updates concerning the monarch will henceforth emanate from Ologbotsere (traditional prime minister of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami.
The statement read, “the attention of the Palace of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, the Olu of Warri has been drawn to news/social media speculations announcing the sudden demise of His Majesty.
“We wish to notify the general public that His Majesty is indisposed and currently receiving medical attention by a team of qualified medical specialist.
“Any further information on the subject would be made known to the general public by the office of the Traditional Prime Minister of Warri kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.”
However, NIGER DELTA TODAY Online learnt that in line with the Itsekiri tradition, the demise of an Ogiame is only communicated to the public after three months of the monarch’s passage.
Our correspondent who went round Itsekiri speaking area of Warri on Tuesday observed that some shops were closed while many of the residents wear mournful faces indicating that all is not well with the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.
Ikenwoli succeeded the late Atuwatse ll in 2015 as 20th Olu of Warri.
