On Tuesday, March 30, around 3 am an incident of Kingship tussle in Warri kingdom escalated with gunshots making over hundred of Itsekeri protesters mostly youth to occupy the entrance of the Olu of Warri Palace in Ajamimogha Road in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State, protesting over the disqualification of the Omoba, Prince Tsola Emiko, son of the 19th Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwaste II.
The protesters, despite the heavy presence of security operatives, were still protesting using placards with different inscriptions like, “We must follow Ifa oracle.” another stated, “Itsekeri is not your property.” and “We are tired of waiting.”
It was gathered the protest occurred followed the declaration by the Ologbotsere (Prime Minister), Chief Ayiri Emami that Prince Tsola Emiko has been disqualified after which he has been chosen by the Ifa oracle to succeed as the 20th Olu of Warri kingdom.
In a statement by the Regent of the Warri Kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh said that the protest started when the kingdom’s prime minister (Ologbotsere) Chief Ajiri Emami disqualified Prince Tsola Emiko as the new Olu of Warri.
The Regent, while speaking with the protesters announced the suspension of Chief Ayiri Emami as the Ologbotsere (Prime Minister)
The Regent also stated that the Iyasere of Warri kingdom is to take over immediately the duty of the suspended prime minister.
Prince Toju Emiko, a member of the Ginuwa I Ruling House and Secretary of the Emiko Descendants Forum read the statement during a briefing with other elders of the Ginuwa I Ruling House.
The statement stated that “The Ginuwa I Ruling House, which is the only ruling house in the land and which has exclusive powers to nominate a successor to the throne, has been meeting in the last three months after a convocation of bonafide members of the house to nominate a successor to the throne.
The statement also stated that “In the end, Prince Tsola Emiko was picked as the most qualified person to sit on the throne at this time. This was done only after his name was submitted to the ruling house by a majority of the descendants of the last three Olu, even in compliance with this vexatious edict (of 1979).
The statement further stated that “Only on Monday, Chief Emami together with two of his known friends who he…brought into the Olu’s Advisory Council as temporary members, took an irrational decision declaring that they have disqualified Prince Tsola!
In the statement, it was revealed that “The edict does not give them such powers; they have no right whatsoever to disqualify any candidate presented to them by the Ruling House.
The statement also describes their functions stating that “Their only prescribed function is to summon the elders and senior officials of the Ruling House and in the presence of the regent consult the Ifa Oracle one last time.
The statement also condemned their action, stating that, “This singular illegal action of disqualification is now threatening the relative peace in the Warri Kingdom and almost tearing apart the very fabric of our existence…
It was also stated in the statement that they have reached a decision point stating that, “We have reached a tipping point in this matter and before it further degenerates into mayhem, the following urgent actions are to be taken: Chief Ayiri Emami, having exhibited actions and tendencies unbecoming of the position he occupies and has proven himself unworthy of the Ologbotsere stool, is hereby suspended from Warri Council of Chiefs.
The statement further asked Chief Ayiri Emami to set aside his duty stating that, “He is to immediately step aside as the Ologbotsere and stop parading himself as such. Adding that, “The Iyatsere who is next in command, and, the most senior chief who accompanied Ginuwa I from Benin to found the Warri Kingdom, is hereby appointed as acting chairman of the council of chiefs and the Olu’s Advisory Council.
The statement stressed that “He is to take over immediately and steer the remainder of the process to give us an organized, speedy closure…
According to the Regent, which stated in the statement that, “He takes these decisions as the regent of Warri Kingdom, duly elected by the entire Ruling House and officially presented to Chief Ayiri and the Advisory Council on February 5, 2021.
He said, “We reiterate our loyalty to the crown and commit to the Itsekiri people, land, and crown that we will not let them down in these very tempestuous times and will continue to stand for all the values we hold sacred.
He also said, “We again call on all youths to remain calm but resolute and trust that we will not betray them in this fight of good over evil.”
However, Chief Ayiri could not be reached to react to the allegations leveled against him and his suspension.
Chief Ayiri, did not pick his calls and did not respond to text messages sent to him as of press time.
The messages that were sent to his Whatsapp indicated they were read but no response to them as of the time of filing the report.
Meanwhile, the President of the Itsekeri National Youth Council (NYC), Comrade Weyinmi Agbateyinro stated that they rejected the disqualification of Price Tsola Emiko, stating that, it is unacceptable to Itsekeri youth and the people of the kingdom.
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