Controversy as Ginuwa I Ruling House suspends Emami as Ologbotsere of Warri, asks Atserunleghe to Act

The controversy surrounding the revered Olu of Warri Stool, took a new dimension Tuesday March 30, when the Ginuwa I Ruling House, announced the suspension of Chief Emami as the Ologbotsere (The Traditional Prime Minister) of Warri, during a press briefing held at the front of Olu Palace, Warri, asking The Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atserunleghe to Act as the Ologbotsere.

Prince Toju Emiko, who addressed the press on behalf of Ginuwa I Ruling House, in the presence of the leadership of the Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC and scores of Itsekiris, claimed that the 1979 Edict on which the Ojoye-Isan acted, “was hurriedly put together by a hand few of our leaders to meet the exigencies of that time. This so called ‘edict’ annoying as it is, was never presented to the people to discuss it at a general assembly of Itsekiris for purposes of ratification and general acceptance. But the last two Olus, were crowned using this aberration, despite protests and court cases against the law each time.

A Cross Section of some members of Ginuwa I Ruling House, during the briefing

“Now we come to another cross roads. The Ginuwa 1 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. 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 majority of the descendants of the last three Olus, even in compliance with the vexatious edict”.

While claiming that the 1979 Edict does not give the Ojoye-Isan power to disqualify any candidate presented to them by the Ruling House, Prince Emiko, averred: “This singular illegal action of ‘disqualification’ is now threatening the relative peace in Warri Kingdom and almost tearing apart the very fabric of our existence.

“He (Chief Emami) is to immediately step aside as the Ologbotsere and stop parading himself as such

“The Iyatsere, who is next in Command and in-fact 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. He is to take over immediately and steer the remainder of the process to give us an organized, speedy closure”.

Mr. Esimaje Awani, who spoke during the briefing on behalf of Itsekiri National Youths Council, INYC, reportedly stated that the Itsekiri youths’ body was in support of the position of the Ginuwa I Ruling House.

Fresh Angle International can report that Ojoye-Isan, had on Tuesday March 30, in a meeting allegedly held at the Olu Palace Warri, purportedly rejected Tsola Emiko, as the choice of OMOBA, as presented by the Ginuwa I Ruling House, on the ground that the choice was not in compliance with the 1979 EDICT, guiding the process of selecting an OMOBA, who is usually crowned as the Olu of Warri.

There were feelers that the embattled Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, who presided over the Ojoye-Isan meeting, the Iyatsere of Warri, Chief Johnson Atserunleghe (who interestingly had been mandated by the Secretary to Emiko Descendants Forum and member Ginuwa I Ruling House) to act as Ologbotsere, the Uwangue of Warri, Chief Gabriel Awala, the Otsodin of Warri, Chief Isaac Jemide, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, Chief Francis Omatseye and Chief Sam Omamuli A.k.A Omajaja, were in attendance at the Ojoye-Isan meeting, which purportedly rejected Prince Tsola Emiko as OMOBA.

Recall that Palace of the Olu of Warri, had on Tuesday December 22, refuted speculations about the alleged demise of His Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli, The Olu of Warri, saying the revered Warri Monarch was indisposed and receiving medical attention by a team of Qualified Medical Specialists.

The Director of Palace Administration, Chief Clement A. Maleghemi, who made the clarification while briefing newsmen in Warri, Delta State, noted: “Further information on the subject would be made known to the general public by the Office of the Traditional Prime Minister of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami, the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.

Chief Maleghemi, explained that the clarifications became necessary following News/Social Media speculations, announcing the purported sudden demise of The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli.

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