On Saturday, April 3, a high-ranking chief and some members of the Itsekeri Royal family, disclosed that the Olu crown which serves as the symbol of the Itsekiri monarchy had gone missing days after some parties in the succession battle invaded the palace in Warri, Delta State.
According to a statement by a member of the Ginuwa I Ruling House, which stated that “It is true; the crown has been taken away from the palace. We do not know who is responsible for this unfortunate activity. What I can tell you is that it is nowhere to be found in the palace.”
It was gathered that the missing crown was first worn by Ogiame Atuwatse (Dom Domingos) who reigned from 1625 to 1643), and it was said to be a parting gift from the King of Portugal after Dom Domingos completed his education in the European country in 1611.
It was gathered that the kingmakers consulted a fresh ife (oracle) and confirmed Prince Tsola Emiko as the chosen Olu-elect (Omoba) on Wednesday in Warri. But trouble started when the Ologbotsere rejected the Olu-elect in line with the 1979 edict which led to the suspension of the Ologbotsere.
However, the Olori-Ebi (administrative head of the ruling house), Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, had already presented Prince Tsola Emiko to a reconstituted Ojoye-Isan.
The reconstitution of the Ojoye-Isan was done after the Chief Ayiri Emami-led group of chiefs disqualified Prince Tsola Emiko, in line with the 1979 Edict. The Ojoye-Isan comprising the Ologbotsere, Uwangue, Iyatsere, the Ojomo (Chief Yahaya Pessu).
The reconstruction enables the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atserunleghe, to be elevated to take over the responsibilities of Ologbotsere in the search for a new Olu that would be presented to the Itsekiri General Assembly on Monday, April 5 at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri).
Meanwhile, a source disclosed that the missing crown and other dramas could impede a smooth transition of the new Olu, who is expected to proceed on Idaniken immediately after his presentation to the Itsekiri people on Monday.
The report of the missing crown has however cast a cloud of concern over activities line up for the ceremony as Chief Emami has debunked the purported completion of the process to select the Olu.
Also, the suspension of the Ologbotsere, Chief Ayiri Emami, has been challenged and annulled by the Otolus who averred that only an Olu has the power to suspend the highest-ranking chief in the kingdom.
According to Chief Benjamin Emiko and other Otolus said the 1979 Edict, which disqualified Prince Tsola in 2015, is still in operation, and therefore he cannot be Olu.
While addressing newsmen on Friday, Chief Emami also debunked the report of his suspension, insisting that he remains the Ologbotsere while also claiming that the General Assembly scheduled for Monday is null and void.
However, an effort to reach Prince Okotie-Ebon on his comment seems abortive as he stated that everything was going on very well.
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