Why I oppose installation of new Olu of Warri—Ologbotsere

In spite of the unveiling of Olu of Warri-designate by the Itsekiri Council of Chiefs led by the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Atserunleghe, suspended 45-year-old Ologbotsere (Prime Minister) of the kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami, has refused to back down on his quest to, according to him, pursue due process in the selection of an Olu-designate. He has also insisted that HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli is not dead but only indisposed. EBENEZER ADUROKIYA spoke with him on his reservations on the development in Iwere land. Excerpts:

The succession plans is tearing the Itsekiri kingdom apart with fingers pointing at you as the ringleader. Sir, why are you troubling the kingdom of your forebears, especially considering your status as a chief?

 

I’m not supposed to be doing this, but I just want to clear the air so that people will not misunderstand me. I don’t have anything against Prince Tsola Emiko; all I’m saying is that they should just subject themselves to due process, not because of today, but because of tomorrow. These laws were made for us to guide ourselves. I begin to wonder when people compare these laws and the Nigeria constitution when even the Army have their own Act. Every organisation, every one of the Arm Forces, has their own Act. So, you can just look at Itsekiris laws as the Act for governing themselves. In other words, if you want to be voted for, there are certain things you need to put in place. Let’s say if you’ve been jailed for less than 10 years, you cannot contest for election; that does not mean you are not a Nigerian; you can vote but you cannot be voted for.

I was just saying they should do the right thing. The right thing is subjecting yourself to due process. If you subject yourself to due process, it might even get to Tsola. That is what I’m saying and that is what I met on ground; nothing has changed. People should not take advantage of me and say that because I’m young, I don’t know what I’m doing. If I’m young, I’m used to the customs and tradition.

 

What is the ‘due process’ you are talking about?

You know we have 1979 Edict (The Chieftaincy and Traditional Edict of 1979) Section 2 of that edict says if the Olu is indisposed, the Ologbotsere will invite the Royal Family to tell them to get prepared to bring somebody that can be talked to that is, the Ola-Ebi or Olori-Ebi. So, when the condition is passed, he will now tell them go and get me a successor, that is Olu-designate. But he will tell them to go in line with the Edict and succession process is within three months. The last Olus are Erejuwa, Atuwatse and the present one, Ikenwoli.

Tsola happens to be Atuwatse’s son who was supposed to be the king in 2015. But he was disqualified because of Article Section (4) of the Edict in 2015. We now have two sections that are against Tsola that I’m talking about. Section (2) which says succession goes from father to son; if the son is not suitable, it now moves to the brother; if the brother is not suitable, it goes to the Uncle; if there’s no uncle, it goes to the grandson; if there’s no grandson, it goes to other family member where Tsola belongs.

So, what I’m saying is subject Tsola to pass through this process. Let me go through the son, the brother, the uncles if there’s any, the grandson then it gets to you. You cannot just come and tell me that the oracle disqualifies. I am the only person and the other five Chiefs that can take anybody that is picked out, that passed through this process to the oracle.

 

So, what went wrong?

They just came from nowhere in the family and said the oracle has chosen Tsola and I said no, that is not the process; that is the issue. The thing is that you don’t even have right to go and consult the oracle. Three years ago when I wanted to be Ologbotsere, they tried to manipulate the oracle against me and it was all over the news that the oracle rejected me. How come the oracle accepted me later? So, these are the kind of people we are dealing with. After, people will be complaining of government and corruption when inside their houses they cannot do the right thing. This is just a traditional stool. And that’s just all I’m saying. I don’t have any issue. I just want them to follow the due process.

 

But the majority of all Itsekiri appear to be in support of the current development – I mean the choice of Prince Tsola Emiko?

The issue has nothing to do with the majority. You can see what is happening in Birmingham palace; there’s a law there that stipulates that when you go and marry a black person, you will not benefit XYZ. You can see what is happening to Harry. In every culture and tradition, every tradition, there are rules and regulations that guide it. You don’t leave it open. You can imagine British people, the people we learn from. In politics there may be a law saying something about if you’ve been convicted before you can contest for an elective position. You won’t be able but that does not mean you aren’t a Nigerian. That’s what I’m saying.

 

The way things are now, it looks as if some of your people have been turned against you. You now appear like somebody fighting the entire nation. Don’t you think so?

It doesn’t matter. Sometimes it happens like that. There’s always a minority opinion. Majority may have their way at the end of the day. But the minority opinion must be recorded.

 

What’s your next move to revert the current status quo in Iwere land?

I’m still on consultations. I have leaders and elders from the community (the Warri Kingdom) I must consult for the wayforward. The family that I’m holding this Ologbotsere on their behalf, I have not consulted with them. I can’t do this on my own.

 

What time are we expecting to hear from you after your consultations?

Hopefully by next week Monday. I’ll hold a world press conference.

 

Every tribe has enemies. Are you not afraid that the enemies of the Itsekiri Nation might capitalise on the current debacle to further polarise the nation?

I don’t think so. That’s why I said I’ll embark on wider consultations before I take further steps.

 

But some people are saying that you’re preparing to go to court?

Well I’ve not said that. All these issues need some wider consultations. I’m from a family. The family that I’m holding this Ologbotsere in trust for, I’ve not consulted them. Definitely they’ll tell me what steps to take. Definitely, I can’t take the decisions on my own.

 

How about your purported suspension? Can you speak on it?

Sometimes, I don’t want to talk about it because they don’t have the power to do what they are doing. As far as I’m concerned, in the history of Itsekiri, no one family can come out and suspend a Chief. It’s not something we should be discussing.

 

So everything done so far, as far as you are concerned, is null and void?

Yes.

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