Olu of Warri: Chief Ayiri Threatens Court Action over Suspension as Ologbotsere

The Ologbotsere of Warri and Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council, Chief Ayiri Emami, has threatened to challenge his alleged suspension as Prime Minister of Warri by the Ginuwa Ruling House over the crisis rocking the selection of Prince Tsola Emiko as Olu designate.

Ayiri, who had insisted that the selection of Prince Emiko as Omoba following the passage of Ogiame Ikenwoli ran foul of the process to the enthronement of a new Olu, will be suing the Ruling House and the Iyatsere of Warri.

Spokesman of the Ologbotsere Descendants worldwide, Comrade Alex Eyengho, who disclosed the resolve of the Ologbotsere to seek legal help yesterday said Ayiri had been silent on the issue to widely consult before taking any action.

He maintained that the alleged suspension of Chief Ayiri as Ologbotsere by a section of the Ginuwa 1 Ruling House remained unconstitutional to the Itsekiri people.

He said that Chief Ayiri “is taking this decision after painstaking wide consultations with critical stakeholders on the matter both home and abroad,”adding that Ologbotsere’s prayers in court “shall be seamlessly simple, straightforward and from the point of extant laws.”

Eyengho added, “I am sure that the general public must have noticed the dignified deafening silence of Ologbotsere Ayiri Emami since his purported suspension by a section of the Ginuwa I Ruling House.

“This silence is certainly not a mark of weakness but an opportunity to give those involved enough time to retrace their steps, swallow their prides, apologise to him and the Itsekiri for their illegal action, in the overall interest of the Itsekiri and as the only sure way forward.

“The Ologbotsere will simply be asking the court to interpret within the framework of the 1979 Edict as it concerns Warri Kingdom and other relevant extant laws whether the Ginuwa I Ruling House has the power whatsoever to suspend any or the least Chief of Warri Kingdom