Warri – The Spokesperson of the Ologbotsere Descendants Worldwide, Comrade Alex Eyengho, has insisted that , embattled Chief Ayirimi Emami, remains the Ologbotsere of Warri kinkgdom.
Alex Eyengho, made this known via telephone in Warri while reacting to the derobing of Chief Ayirmi Emami as the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom by His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri.
Eyengho who said an emergency meeting of the Ologbotsere Descendants Worldwide was conveyed to address the royal pronouncement on the Ologbotsere title , hinted that plans were on ongoing to Mark the 4th anniversary of Chief Ayirmi as the Ologbotsere of Warri .
“As you are all aware, the Ologbotsere Descendants Worldwide convened an emergency general meeting.
” It was well attended. All the stock, prominent people, including the members of the six-man delegation that the Olu of Warri invited from the family, five were present.
“The only person that was not present because of age is the Olori-Ebi of the family. He was packaged to the palace for that meeting.
“However, he sent a representative. The Olu specifically invited the Olori-Ebi and five others.
“By the time Chief Brown Mene who spoke for the Olu finished, the Olu rose and left.
“So it was more or less a monologue. The Ologbotsere Descendants were not given the opportunity to respond.
“At today’s meeting, the Ologbotsere Descendants Worldwide have taken a decision that we reject in totality the decision from the palace as read by Chief Brown Mene.
“And we further pass a vote of confidence as a family on Chief Ayirimi Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom.
“And we insist that in line with extant laws, culture and tradition of the Itsekiri people and Warri kingdom in general, once a title is given, it is till death, particularly, the title of Ologbotsere who is the Chief Adviser of the Olu of Warri and the chairman of the Olu Advisory Council and the Chairman of Warri Council of Chiefs.
“His position is statutory. Therefore, nobody can remove him or derobe him. We know this, it is in tandem with extant laws, culture and tradition of Itsekiri.
“It is till death that Chief Emami would seize being the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom. And that is the position of the family today and we further pass a vote of confidence on him.
” We will continue to address him as the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom. He will continue to perform his function as the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom as best as he can.
“And we also want to make it clear that the Ologbotsere family is not on any way at loggerheads or fighting the Itsekiri nation. Or in any way fighting the royal family.
“The Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom is the head of the masses which we Itsekiri call Omajaja, the royal family through the Olu heads another arm of government which is monarchy; two different statutory arms of government.
“One cannot shove aside the other. The Olu is the head of the royal family and the entire Itsekiri nation, while the Ologbotsere is the head of the masses which we call Omajaja. And these two organs are statutory.
“The only way to remove the Ologbotsere or derobe him is there in the law. It must pass through the state House of Assembly, the governor. It must be debated on the House and gazetted.
“I refer you to a book titled ‘the foundation of Itsekiri culture and tradition’ authored by a former Justice of Bendel State, Justice Rufus Ogbobine.
“It is very clear there that once you make titles like Ologbotsere, Iyatsere, Uwangue, Oshodi and Ojomo, it is till death that they will stop to hold such titles and nobody can remove them.
“We as Ologbotsere Descendants, we know our culture, tradition and the law.
‘We stand with Chief Ayirimi Emami on what he is doing because his only offense is that he has said let us follow the extant law in the succession to the throne of Olu of Warri.
“But if Itsekiri people say let Ologbotsere do the Pointious Pilate option, wash his hands off, let them progress in error , that is their decision. But they should not because the Ologbotsere said let us follow the law.
“Mind you, the Ologbotsere is in court, so this pronouncement by Mene is sub judis.
“Some of us are taking it that it’s Brown Mene that spoke. The Olu of Warri can deny it tomorrow.
“So the only way we would take it very seriously, let the Olu of Warri come out and say it himself. The Olu of Warri perhaps was being tactical with this because he knows it’s sub judis.
“We take what Chief Mene read out with a pinch of salt.
“We passed a vote of confidence on Chief Emami and have urged him to continue to perform his functions.
“However, because we not averse to peace and reconciliation, while we reject everything in totality from Chief Mene, that pronouncement is dead on arrival, we reject it with every pint of blood in our veins and we will stand with Chief Ayirimi Emami.
Speaking on possible reconciliation, Eyengho said “However, because we not averse to peace and reconciliation, we have set up a seven-man committee of very senior elders that will further look into this matter.
They will consult from left and right and it is an opportunity to show that the Ologbotsere family is not at war with anybody.
“The Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom cannot and will not do anything against the interest of the Itsekiri people.
“Part of the resolutions we took today is that it is only a bastard Ologbotsere Descendant that will accept this so-called derobing of Emami as Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom.
When asked to react on a statement credited to Chief Ayirmi that he does not recognize the revered monarch as his king, the spokesperson of the Ologbotsere descendants said,
“Chief emami is currently the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom. That statement is credited to him and he has not denied it.
“He has made it clear that it is who recognises him that he would recognize.
“He knows his right, that his position is statutory and if you must remove him, follow the law.
“If the palace recognises him, he will recognise the palace.
“Nobody can remove him . Except you go through the government and the State House of Assembly.
His position is gazetted”. Eyengho enthused.
Meanwhile, the Iyatsere of Warri kingdom and Chairman Warri council of Chiefs, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe as well as other prominent Itstekiri leaders have maintained that all the Chieftaincy titles in Warri kingdom belongs to the Olu and he has the authority to withraw any title whenever he seems fit.
The Chairman, Warri Council of Chiefs and Iyatsere of the kingdom, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe and other prominent chiefs, said there was jubilation across Warri kingdom over the pronouncement.
Amatserunleghe said; “The title, Ologbotsere, belongs to the king. So, it is with all the Chieftaincy titles in Warri kingdom. The Olu of Warri has the right to give and withdraw.
“For the Itsekiri it is a good step. You saw the jubilation in Warri kingdom yesterday. Since the monarch has made the pronouncement it stands.
“The title is not Ayiri’s title. The Ologbotsere descendants have no problem with the monarch or Itsekiri nation. So, it is a good development. For now, the position of Ologbotsere is cancelled.”
Also backing the Olu, the Uwangwe of the kingdom, Chief Gabriel Awala said; “When the king makes a pronouncement it is so.
“You saw jubilation around the town after the pronouncement yesterday. The King has all the titles and he gives and withdraws.”
Also, former Minister of State for Defence, Chief Roland Oritsejafor said; “The Olu has the powers, he chooses Chiefs to work with. Nobody questions that. Again the Ologbotsere family was there when the pronouncement was made. Nothing was done in secret.”
Also speaking on the development, immediate past Regent of the kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, said the Itsekiri have high regard for their king, adding that with the pronouncement on the title of Ologbotsere, nobody can parade himself as holder of the title.
“Itsekiri people respect their king. This is not politics, this is a traditional matter.
“The Itsekiri nation protested when Ayiri was nominated for the position of Ologbotsere but after the former king gave him the title, everybody accepted it.
“Nobody opposed the king after he did because we respect the king. It is only a sitting king that gives and takes back titles. We respect the throne.
“A pronouncement has been made and the Itsekiri people are all happy.”
On his part , Secretary Ginuwa I Ruling House, Prince Isaac Dorsu supported the monarch’s decision.
He said only the Head of Ologbotsere House, Pa Jofotan Oporokunn, can convene a meeting of the Ologbotsere House.
“We all are nñ celebrating the pronouncement yesterday. Well, you all know when Ayiri did not do what he should have done he had to be suspended by the Ginuwa I Ruling House and the Council of Chiefs.
“We are happy with the decision. The monarch has spoken. Even the Ologbotsere family where I belong, we are all happy.”
