Ologbotsere: Olu lacks power to derobe Ayiri -Eyengho

Following the controversy surrounding the confirmation and revalidation of Chief Ayiri Emami as the Ologbotsere, the prime minister of Itsekiri Kingdom, Comrade Alex Eyengho, the spokesperson to the Ologbotsere Descendants of Warri Kingdom has said that the Ogiame Atuwatse lll lacked power to derobe Chief Ayirimi Emami as the Ologbotsere, the prime minister of Itsekiri Kingdom.

Comrade Eyengho said Ayiri Emam remained the Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom and will occupy the title till old age and death.

Addressing section of the media, Eyengho on Monday described the new Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Amatserunleghe and others who claim Ayiri has been suspended as Ologbotsere as jokers, adding that the public should ignore such persons.

He stated: “As of today, the 6th of September 2021, Chief Ayirimi Emami is the de facto and the Dejure Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom and it remains so. He is functioning effectively in that capacity despite the fact that he is in court.

When asked if the new Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III can appoint another person as Ologbotsere, he said: “ Olu cannot because Ologbotsere title is a family title; it is not Ayiri Emami’s title. It is a family title and it is only the family that recommended Chief Ayirimi Emami to the then Olu of Warri who now confirmed it”.

“The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse lll cannot make anybody Ologbotsere without recourse to the Ologbotsere family. He will only make a request to the family that he wants to give out Ologbotsere title”.

“The family will now do internal screening on their own and then present a candidate. That was what was done and that was how Chief Ayiri was presented to then Olu of Warri who now ratified and adopted the decision by the family. Once an Ologbotsere title is given to somebody, no Olu can reverse it till the death of that person”.

“The person only stops being Ologbotsere if he dies. It is not a tenured title. It is till death. Nobody nor king can remove or suspend him because it is a family title”.he added.