A prominent Itsekiri indigene and renowned politician, Chief Ayirimi Emami, says his original beads and sword, authenticating him as the ‘Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom’, are still intact, despite the dramatic presentation of a bead and sword to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III at the Olu Palace, Warri, Sunday April 16, in the presence of expectant crowd of Itsekiri sons and daughters.
Chief Emami, staged a walkout from the Olu Palace, alongside many Ologbotsere descendants, after declining the Olu of Warri’s offer for him to take his late father’s title ‘Eyeku’.
He told a gathering of Ologbotsere descendants and pressmen at the Ologbotsere Hall in his Palatial Home at Egbokodo, Warri, that the incident at the Olu Palace, was joy to him for many reasons, including a biblical reference Papa Ayo Oritsejafor illustrated Friday April 14, during the peace meeting at the Palace, “when he said if the Devil knew that Jesus Christ would be celebrated, they wouldn’t have killed him.”
Chief Emami, who spoke in Itsekiri language, stated: “Those that asked me to honour invitation of the Ogiame, knew they wanted to kill me, but if I had not honoured the invitation, they would have said I do not want the blessings of Itsekiri.”
He continued: “You guys should not worry yourselves, what wants blood, if you give it palm oil, it will not take it. Today is a day of joy for so many reasons. When they said the king sent for me, many said I should not go, some said I should go. He that is in me is greater. People that said I should honour the invitation, are more than those that said I shouldn’t honour it. Those that advised me to go the Palace, said if I go, there will be peace in Itsekiri land and I hold issues concerning Itsekiri in high esteem.
“When he (the king) called me, he told me of the dream he had about Ikenwoli (the transited Olu of Warri) and what Ikenwoli did. Anytime the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, meets me, he always advised me to go and see the Olu of Warri. He told me to forget about ancestors and go to the King, that was exactly what I did. Even Oba of Benin spoke about the issue.
“The wife of Ologbotsere, is the eyes of Ologbotsere. My wife called me and advised that I should not carry my original beads and sword to the Palace today. These three beads; bead of Atuwaste II, my late father and that of Ikenwoli, are my inheritance, I did not buy them. Have you seen me with one bead before?”.
Spokesman of Ologbotsere Descendants, Comrade Alex Eyengho, who addressed newsmen at Chief Emami’s house, averred: “What happened in the palace today, was part of a script that has been written. We got premonition of the event that would play out, hence the bead and sword presented at the Palace, are fake. It has been an ongoing script. Ologbotsere family is not stupid. The original beads and sword are intact. Once you give a title to someone, it is till death. You don’t take it back. For Ologbotsere title to be given, it must come from the family of Ologbotsere, on request from the king. Chief Ayirimi Emami remains the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.”
In his pronouncement at the Palace, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, declared in parts: “Today is a very unusual day. But we will do something unusual. I won’t do this publicly again, but there is a reason why today is public. Opportunity for us to come together and reconcile. The outcome is for the good and betterment of Itsekiri, irrespective of anybody’s reaction. God does not have an opposite. Ogiame does not have an enemy. In this kingdom, there is no rival. The beads on the neck of our Chiefs, are personal property of the Ogiame. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. True reconciliation, will not be forced on Ogiame. The terms will be determined by Ogiame. We have divine reason to do this publicly, it is not an easy thing for me to do this, I had to humble myself. Itsekiris want Ogiame to be proud at all times, because we are proud people. As directed and determined by God, pride is actually not one of the ways of God.
“I had been battling for almost two years on how I could come down to address this Ologbotsere issue. I was covering Ayiri Emami even when I was in Idaneken. I authored apology for him to read, as it happened, the apology didn’t surface. God wants this matter to be resolved, I understand the fears some of you might have. Every human being deserves a second chance. Monarchy is a reflection of how God operates.
“Ikenwoli told me: What I did privately with Ayiri, do it publicly for all to see” this was after O.N. Rewane, Chief Mayuku and Chief Akonu Emami appeared to me in a dream. None of you here, is better than this man (Chief Ayiri) I am tired of fighting. I will not humiliate the Ologbotsere family. The Ologbotsere title, remains the most senior title. Ikenwoli like Atuwatse II, knew what they saw in this man (Chief Ayirimi Emami). Let everyone, stand up and celebrate this man (referring to Chief Emami).
“I do not want Itsekiri to fight, I have given him a chance for redemption, to work for the interest of Itsekiri. He has conceded he will not accept his father’s title.”
