That the Olu of Warri, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse III has sacked Chief Ayirimi Emami as the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom is an established fact.
However, Chief Ayiri Emami has disagreed with the Olu of Warri, insisting that he still remains the Ologbotsere.
He said: “My response is straight. I don’t recognize him as Olu because the process was not followed. We are in court already and I am instituting a fresh suit.”
“He does not know the tradition and culture of Itsekiri, so also many of those with him. So I don’t recognize him as the king.”
“I am still the Ologbotsere. A Justice in the old Bendel State said the worst you can do if you don’t want an Ologbotsere is to behead him. So he does not have the powers to remove an Ologbotsere.”
“The monarch inherited one but chose not to have another one after the one he met passed on.”
“But in this case I am alive. So I cannot be removed and I don’t recognize him as Olu of Warri.”
“The Ologbotsere descendants will meet on Thursday this week.”
For those who might be wondering why the monarch sacked Emami as the Ologbotsere, Ogiame Atuwatse III said; “We have taken time to ponder and have arrived at our final decision.”
However, citing the monarch’s position, Chief Brown Mene, said: “It is the respect the monarch has for the Ologbotsere descendants that is why he called you. It is the king that gives chieftaincy titles. It is also the king that withdraws titles. This has been the tradition.”
“There are several Ologbotsere’s children that are chiefs. The Ologbotsere family is very dear to the monarch.”
“There is no Ologbotsere title again. The head of the Ologbotsere title can answer the nickname. It is the pronouncement of the king and Itsekiri nation. There will be peace, blessings in the land.”
“There is no Ologbotsere, again nobody should parade in that title. You remember the king dissolved the Council of Chiefs and has been re admitting revalidating titles and has also reconstituted the council of Chiefs. Nobody should relate with anyone in the title as Ologbotsere.”
