How Feud Between Olu Of Warri, Ayiri Emami Degenerated

It seems the ongoing feud between Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwayse III, Oba Tsola Emiko and Chief Ayiri Emami, the former Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom is far from ending soon. Olu of Warri had wielded his royal axe on Emami, stripping him of his chieftaincy title, Ologbotsere (Prime Minister), in 2021.

Emami had opposed the emergence of Emiko as the Olu of Warri in-waiting. He headed to a Warri High Court, seeking legal interpretation of the amended 1979 Olu of Warri Chieftaincy Edict, which says that the Olu must have Benin and Warri blood flowing in him. However, Emiko’s mother, Olori Gladys Emiko (wife of Olu Atuwatse II, Emiko’s father) is Yoruba.

He sought the court’s order of an interlocutory injunction to restrain the defendants either by themselves, agents and/or whoever from crowning any person as the Olu of Warri Kingdom, pending the hearing and determination of the suit. The two became arch enemies after that time.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi attempted to step in by mediating peace between the two, but his efforts failed to yield a positive result. After theb Ooni’s intervention, a four hour meeting was held behind closed doors with dignitaries in attendance to resolve the situation but the meeting and efforts also met a brick wall.

Two years after stripping Emami of his title, the traditional ruler decided to replace him with another worthy indigene of Warri kingdom. He installed Chief Oma Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom. Eyewuoma was the Aboludero of Warri Kingdom before his new title. The installation ceremony took place last week amidst pomp and pageantry and was witnessed by many people in the kingdom.

Shortly after the installation of Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere, the Olu of Warri announced a new title ‘Eyeku’ of Warri, to be conferred on Emami. But Emami declined and walked out of the gathering insisting that he is still the rightful Ologbotsere as the paraphernalia of office he was asked to submit by the Olu, towards a peaceful resolution of their dispute, which he did were the fake ones and not the originals.

(This story excluding headline, was originally posted by THE WILL)