Ayiri Emami Recoils into His Shell?
The people of Warri are still celebrating the ascension of the new Olu of Warri, Tsola Emiko, Ogiame Atuwatse III. After months of disagreements over who is deserving of the throne and who is not, the dust has finally settled and the noble and common alike can put their minds to rest. However, there is one individual whose rest is slightly different: Chief Ayiri Emami. His is a rest born out of forced retirement, the kind that eventually graduates into his living under the radar. And it already has.
Some folks are doubtlessly wondering where exactly Emami, the honourable Ologbotsere of Warri and Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council has run off to. He was noticeably absent at the coronation of the new Olu of Warri. So conspicuous was the absence of the traditional Prime Minister that folks wondered if there would be an ‘Orubebe-ic’ performance in subsequent days. But no, nothing of the sort has happened, indicating that perhaps Emami has decided to let sleeping dogs lie. For those in the know, Emami was one of the staunchest voices against the emergence of the now affirmed Olu of Warri. While Ogiame Atuwatse III was only the Olu of Warri Designate, Emami voiced his support for a different prince. So firm was Emami’s unyielding resistance that it eventually led to the Ginuwa Ruling House suspending him.
Emami’s opposition was reportedly predicated on the traditions of the Itsekiri people which qualified some royal princes to the throne and consequently disqualified others. By this logic, Emami insisted that Prince Tsola Emiko (now Ogiame Atuwatse III) was less qualified compared to the eldest son of a former Olu of Warri. Thus, when Emami was suspended and the Prince he opposed came out on top, he left the limelight of his own volition. Ever since Emami has turned into a hobbit that is dedicated to his shire. No outing, no press releases, nothing.