9The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, on Sunday installed Chief Oma Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.
Eyewuoma was the Aboludero of Warri Kingdom before his new title.
The installation ceremony, which took place at the Aghófen Hall of Palace of the Olu of Warri, was graced by many dignitaries, including the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan; ex-president, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; notable palace chiefs, as well as hundreds of Itsekiri sons and daughters, home and abroad.
The installation of a new Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom has put an end to speculations on the role of the derobed Ologbotsere, Ayiri Emami, in Warri Kingdom.
The Olu of Warri had on October 5, 2021 formally announced the derobing of Emami at a ceremony held in the palace.
However, shortly after the installation of Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere, the Olu of Warri announced a new title of the “Eyeku” of Warri, to be conferred on Emami – a title his late father, Chief Akonu Emami, bore.
Emami, however, declined and walked out of the palace just as the families of Eyewuoma and well-wishers celebrated the new Ologbotsere.
Reacting to the development, Emami, after storming out of the palace, said he remained the Ologbotsere of Warri as he still had the traditional beads that were presented to him by Ogiame Atuwatse II and Ogiame Ikenwoli and the Uda.
Addressing members of Ologbotsere descendants and supporters who accompanied him to his residence, Emami displayed the traditional beads and the sword.
The spokesman for the Ologbotsere descendants worldwide, Alex Eyengho, later addressed journalists insisting that the Ologbotsere title is “till death”.
Eyengho remarked that for Emami to accept the title of his father, which is a “lesser title in the name of peace”, would amount to “peace of the graveyard”.
Earlier, the Olu of Warri had said, “As far as Warri kingdom is concerned, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. True reconciliation will not be forced on Ogiame. There is no son or daughter of Itsekiri that will hold this throne to ransom and so the terms of reconciliation will be determined by Ogiame. The reason we are doing this publicly is a divine one. I have struggled, resisted trying to come down and be vulnerable before my people. It is not an easy thing to do.”