By Ovie Okpare
Plans to finally strip embattled Chief Ayiri Emami of his traditional title as the Ologbotsere of Warri has commenced with the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, announcing the dissolution of his cabinet and other traditional committees within Itsekiriland.
Aside Chief Ayiri, other palace chiefs perceived to have worked against the emergence of the 21st Olu of Warri, could lose their traditional titles by this latest development.
The holder of Ologbotsere title (traditional prime minister) is the second in command to the Olu and chairs the traditional council. The holder is also considered as the most influential chief in Itsekiriland.
After several years without Ologbotsere (traditional prime minister), late Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli, appointed Ayiri, a young billionaire businessman and politician as Ologbotsere.
A move, many Itsekiri then protested against as being powerful for a young chief of Ayiri’s status.
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Amidst the squabble for late Ogiame Ikenwoli’s suceession tussle, the immediate past Regent, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh announced the suspension of Ayiri as Ologbotsere and chairman of the traditional council.
Ayiri has, however, maintained that his suspension is illegal and won’t stand.
He is currently contesting his suspension as Ologbotsere as well as the emergence of Ogiame Atuwatse III at a Warri court in Delta State.
The embattled Ologbotsere and other chiefs who faulted the process producing the new Olu of Warri also did not attend the coronation of the Itsekiri monarch at Ode-Itsekiri in Warri South Local Government Area of the state.
Ayiri and other aggrieved chiefs have also not been seen around the palace since Ogiame Atuwatse III’s elaborate coronation on Saturday, August 21.
Customarily, upon the coronation of a new Olu, all Itsekiri traditional chiefs are required to revalidate their traditional titles from the monarch and swear to an oath of an allegiance to the new traditional ruler.
Traditionally, it’s at the discretion of the monarch to reaffirm anyone as a palace chief or not.
As expected, Ogiame Atuwatse III, on Tuesday finally announced the dissolution of all traditional council, committees and sub-committee within the Itsekiriland.
The new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has announced the dissolution of all traditional council, committees, and sub-committees in Iwereland with immediate effect.
Although the statement personally signed by the monarch was dated September 1, the statement was released on Tuesday in Warri.
Ogiame said the dissolution of the traditional council and other committees was with immediate effect.
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He also directed traditional title holders, in line with Itsekiri culture and tradition, to prepare for their revalidation and confirmation exercise which will commence on September 2, 2021.
“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”.
Meanwhile, NIGER DELTA TODAY (NDT) Online gathered that any chief who failed to present itself for the revalidation exercise before the new Olu might cease to be palace chief.
Prominent Itsekiri leaders who spoke on the development expressed doubt if Chief Ayiri will present himself for the exercise since he was already in court challenging the emergence of the 37-year-old Olu of Warri.
However, some of the leaders expressed fears that Ayiri being stripped of his Ologbotsere title might further create tension within the kingdom.
The key figure in the battle, Chief Ayiri, has remained mum on the development.
