COMMUNIQUE ON HAPPENINGS IN OKERE COMMUNITY: OUT SHOOT OF OLOGBOTSERE OF WARRI CHIEFTAINCY TITLE SAGA AS IT AFFECTS OKERE COMMUNITY: A REJOINDER

EX CHAIRMEN OF OKERE COMMUNITY

SECRETARIAT: OGWA – EGHARE (TOWN HALL), OKERE SQUARE, WARRI

COMMUNIQUE ON HAPPENINGS IN OKERE COMMUNITY: OUT SHOOT OF OLOGBOTSERE OF WARRI CHIEFTAINCY TITLE SAGA AS IT AFFECTS OKERE COMMUNITY: A REJOINDER

Our attention has been drawn to a classified publication on page 33 of the Sunday Vanguard, July 9, 2023 signed by Ogieboro, E. F. Esisi, Chief (Mrs) Rita Lori Ogbebor, Chief Edomi Kofi Kartey and Pa Daniel Amorighoye on the foregoing title and we find it imperative to do this rejoinder to set the records straight. We do this rejoinder in our capacities as Okere Indigenes by birth, residence and as principal members of The Okere Congress/Okere Assembly (the Apex decision-making body in Okere Community), not by proxy and convenience on the one hand; and as Defendants to the case which facts have been put forward in the communique without recourse to respect for sanctity of the courts on the other hand.

FELICITATION FROM THE GOOD PEOPLE OF OKERE / THE TOUTED LOYALTY TO THE OLU OF WARRI

According to section 39 and 40 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, it is within the fundamental right of any individual to choose whom he/she decides to associate with and to express him/herself with. It is on this note; we erected a billboard to celebrate Chief Ayirimi Emami, an illustrious son of Okere community on the occasion of his birthday celebration. On this basis, we wish to state that it is not within the right of anybody whatsoever to order the destruction of the billboard. We note with dismay an attempt by some gunmen to pull down the billboard. Unknowing to us, these gunmen were members of the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) acting on the instructions of the Ogieboro as confirmed in the so-called communiqué signed by the Ogieboro and his cohorts.

There is no gainsaying the fact that there was purported retrieval of the Ologbotsere title from Chief Ayirimi Emami. However, by their own showing it is clear that the purpoted retrieval of the Ologbotsere title is unacceptable by the generality of the Itsekiri people, alien to our customs and tradition, and at the same time sub-judice because the matter is before a competent court of law.

We note that the position canvassed in the communique under review is the personal views of the persons who made them and does not represent the collective will of Okere people. There is no resolution by Okere Congress/Okere Assembly (the Apex decision-making body in Okere Community) in respect of the said position as to suppose that it represents the collective view and will of Okere people on the vexed issues.

The allegiance of any Okere indigene or anybody whomsoever to the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwase III (CFR) is personal, individualistic and voluntary and has nothing to do with the Ologbotsere title saga which is sub-judice. We, as law abiding citizens, refrain to join issues on facts already before the court.

THE BARRISTER ROBINSON ARIYO FACTOR IN THE PUBLICATION

It is beyond doubt that Okere community is not any party to the Ologbotsere title matters howsoever. The attempt to escalate a rather domestic matter of the Oma-Ologho (Okere-Youths) to Warri Kingdom matter is Barrister Robinson Ariyo’s rather too familiar antics to seek relevance in Itsekiri matters. We quite see the hand of Esau though we hear the voice of Jacob.

Recall that the Chief authors of the communique had sued the Oma-Ologho ex-chairmen in Suit No: WSACC/106/23 Ogieboro, E. F. Esisi & Ors v Mr. David Iwere & 6 Ors in their attempt to meddle with the youth elections in Okere community (We insist that youth election is the domestic affairs of the Okere Youth from time immemorial). Barrister Ariyo coveted the brief from the original lawyers handling same and his first strike is to publish the facts of the case which is already before a competent court in paragraph 5 of the communique without the consent or approval of the court. No lawyer worth his salt can encourage a publication of facts which are sub-judice in the media except in pursuit of an agenda of blackmail, intimidation or preparation to petition the court as is very usual with Barrister Ariyo. We know Barrister Ariyo’s patterns/activities in other cases concerning Itsekiri communities and the Warri kingdom generally and we are prepared and do hereby encourage and advise him to be more professional and ethical in his legal practice and cease from playing to the gallery.

ON CHIEF AYIRIMI EMAMI

We reiterate that Chief Ayirimi Emami is our brother, an indigene of Okere Community. We owe him every support and brotherly protection in all his life’s pursuit. We stand with him and shall defend him when the push comes to shove irrespective of the double standards of the authors of the communique. Okere community cannot be blackmailed to submit to paymasters of the makers of the communique. Our birthright cannot be sold for a pot of porridge.

Without also forgetting that one of the signatories of the so called communiqué, Chief Mrs. Rita Lori Ogbebor convoked a meeting in Okere community admonishing the people in the gathering that to make a king, the people must follow the succession laws which is the 1979 Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Edict, as evident in Part 19 of her article titled: THE VOICE OF THE ITSEKIRI WOMEN dated 27^th February 2021. A woman that approbates and reprobates should not be taken seriously. Chiefs were persons of honour and integrity.

We therefore appeal to all Okere indigenes to beware of the merchants of discord who write from their hideouts in Lagos and diaspora under the guise of communiqué. Let Okere Prosper!

  LONG LIVE OKERE COMMUNITY!!!

                    SIGNED:

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