Ologbotsere Controversy: Warri Monarch silent on age, lists four conditions

Advocates of age as barrier to who becomes the next Ologbotsere (Prime Minister) of Warri will by now be licking their wounds as the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli has listed just four criteria that must be met by potential candidates.

According to reports monitored in Warri, Wednesday August 17, the respected Monarch listed the four criteria that must be met by those aspiring to become the next Ologbotsere, Iyatsere and Uwangue of Warri as “true loyalty, boldness, vibrancy” and persons who have the pain of Itsekiri Nation.

The Olu of Warri gave the clarification during an enlarged meeting of all Itsekiri community heads, Trust Executive and Youth Leaders, including prominent sons as well as daughters of Iwere Nation at the Olu Palace, Warri.

The revered king said he is determined to confer the Ologbotsere title only a qualified candidate of his choice as nominated by the Ologbotsere families, adding that he “does not want a chicken-hearted and lame-duck Prime Minister who cannot hold his own and would bolt away at the slightest sign of trouble”.

While noting that he would not accept persons not fit to discharge the duties of Ologbotsere, Uwangue and Iyatsere, the Monarch disclosed that he is set to confer Chieftaincy titles to some deserving Itsekiris next month (September).

According to the Monarch, most rumours concerning his actions are fatal lies from the pit of hell that are designed to malign his person and position as well as paint him in bad light, tasking his subjects to always verify stories from the palace to ascertain the truth of any matter.

He disclosed that the Chevron created Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, would soon resume work so that the 23 GMoU communities will get their benefits, stating that the warring factions are in the process of withdrawing cases in court and restated that (IRDC exco) they have just one term to serve in office.

On the emergence of Chief Ayirimi Emami as the nominee for Ologbotsere title by the Ologbotsere families, Secretary-General of the families, Pa. William L. A. Anukun reportedly said they “followed all due processes (sic) for almost a year before arriving at the choice of Chief Ayirimi and Chief Oritsema Eyewuoma as their preferred candidates for the position”, adding that the Olu of Warri then chose Chief Emami.

According to him, all the heads of the twelve families that make up the kindred families allegedly agreed and signed the document, nominating Chief Emami.

Pa. Anukun noted, “the selection process of any Ologbotsere is the prerogative of the families concerned only and not a process for all Itsekiri indigenes. All documentation and minutes of meetings with attendants’ list are intact”. “

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