A prominent prince of Itsekiri kingdom, Prince Yemi Emiko has dismissed media reports insinuating that Tuesday’s dissolution of all Traditional Councils, Committees and Sub-committees by the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, was targeted at stripping embattled Chief Ayiri Emami of his traditional title as the Ologbotsere of Warri.
Prince Emiko in a phone chat with NewsNet Nigeria said though Chief Ayiri’s name featured prominently on the list of chiefs that have been contacted to come back and reaffirm their titles with the new king, nobody is being targeted.
Prince Emiko, who is an uncle to the new Olu and younger brother to the immediate past Olu said, “This is traditional. Every new Olu that comes dissolves Council of Chiefs.
“It was done in 2016. Ikenwoli came in 2015 and by January 2016, he dissolved the Council.
“Atuwatse II dissolved his own Council in May exactly two weeks after his coronation. What he met were chiefs from Erejuwa II, who was my father. As soon as Atuwatse II ascended the throne in 1987, two weeks after he dissolved the Council of Chiefs.
“And the process is for every single chief to come back and return their swords after which the Olu will give you a new date that you will come with your family, friends and well-wishers to take it back from him if he so wishes.
“But, there is no targetting of anybody,” Prince Emiko stressed.
The statement of the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III dissolving the traditional council and other committees reads below.
“I, Atuwatse Ogiame III, hereby, announce, for the information of the general public, the Delta State government and particularly, the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Committees, the dissolution of all Traditional Councils, Committees, Sub-committees and the scheduled exercise of revalidation/confirmation effective from 2nd day of September 2021.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Warri Council of Chiefs, the Olu-in-Council, all standing Adhoc and Sub-committees are dissolved forthwith.
“The mandatory revalidation/confirmation of Chieftaincy titles shall commence on the 2nd day of September 2021.
“The timetable for the revalidation and confirmation exercise shall be made available at the Palace Secretariat from the 1st day of September 2021 and the process of registration of all chieftaincy titles with the prescribed authority in accordance with section 25 of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council and Chiefs Law (supra) shall follow immediately after the revalidation and confirmation exercise.”
