Olu of Warri Urged to Unite Itsekiri Nation

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The  Iwere Consultative Forum has appealed to the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, and concerned elders of the Itsekiri Nation to make concerted efforts to restore a sense of unity and trust amongst the people.

THISDAY checks revealed that Atuwatse III, last April installed Chief Oma Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, while Chief Ayiri Emami was still in court challenging his suspension as Ologbotsere.

Emami was suspended as Ologbotsere and Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council following the crisis that trailed the selection of the sitting Olu of Warri, Tsola Emiko as Olu designate.

However, the Forum in an open letter addressed to the Monarch, a copy of  which was made available to journalists in Abuja, yesterday, described the recent incidents as unfortunate and embarrassing to the Itsekiri Nation.

In the letter jointly signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Clem Omotoye and Secretary, Arubi Ajofotan, they said there had not been enough consultations in some of the actions attributed to  Atuwatse III, saying the interest of the people should be paramount.

It read: “The question that comes to mind is, where are the Olu traditional advisers – the Chiefs? Where are his handlers, confidants etc?

“We feel that the Ologbotsere matter, should have been handled differently, with more circumspection and with more regard to Itsekiri integrity.

“The present spat between Chief Mene Brown and Prince Yemi Emiko does not augur well for some parties in the existing legal suits. We feel it does not spell well to the foundation of the coronation. 

“We will for sub judice make no comment further on this matter even as we feel that it may be near impossible to involve the members of the peace committee in any Itsekiri enterprise in the foreseeable future flowing from the event of Friday 14th and Sunday the 16th days of April, 2023.”

The forum added that the situation in the Kingdom was moving at a frightening pace, saying something should be done fast to ameliorate real and perceived wrongs and misgivings.

It added: “Itsekiri cannot afford a divided nation even as it appears that our neighbors have overtaken us in every sphere. It does not need a soothsayer to posit that we may be heading towards doom or extinction if something positive and radical is not done quickly to harness, harmonize and unite Itsekiri nation.

“Nothing and nobody is too big for the cause. It is for the survival of the crown, people and land of Iwere Nation. On a final note, it is our humble advice that His Majesty be wary of perambulators and or praise singers on royal corridors scavenging for royal recognition coming with different negative stories about other Itsekiri.”