Tension in Warri as Olu proposes reforms

Anxiety brews in Warri as the Itsekiri Monarch, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, attempts to abolish several long-standing Itsekiri customs and traditions in Warri.

Angry Itsekiri youths and stakeholders had declared a showdown with the monarch if such reforms are carried out.

One such move was to end the Awankere Festival of the Okere Community, a move that had caused serious uproar in Warri. This was followed by an alleged uproar on April 27, 2023, when gun-wielding youths allegedly connected with the Itsekiri National Youths Council (INYC) fired shots and destroyed a banner celebrating the birthday of Chief Ayirimi Emami, the Ologbotsete of Warri, in Okere Market Square.

“There is a real fear of violent clashes between youth groups loyal to Emami and those supporting the Olu if a meeting is held in the Okere community town hall,” a community source said

The source posited that tension had been on the rise since the controversial installation of Chief Oma Eyewuoma as Ologbotsere on April 16 by the Olu.

It was learned the move had been met with resistance from Chief Emami, who maintained his rightful position as Ologbotsere of Itsekiri Kingdom despite the alleged suspension.

A report said the tension was worsened by the INYC’s unexpected decision to hold its meeting in Okere Community Town Hall on the same day as a meeting of the “Omajaja” descendants.

The group loyal to Ayiri allegedly backed by several former Okere youth leaders, vehemently opposed the Olu’s reported plans.

“The Omajajas are enraged. The Olu’s proposal to stop the Awankere Festival, especially after he used anointing oil in a manner we consider abominable at Ode-Itsekiri, is unacceptable,” an anonymous source said.

The source stressed that the INYC, under the leadership of Weyinmi Agbateyiniro, seemed to be acting on the Olu’s controversial orders.

In contrast, the Omajajas, who were already upset by the Olu’s recent pronouncement abolishing the Omajaja title and reclassifying Itsekiri indigenes into five groups, have sworn to resist any attempts to erase Itsekiri tradition and customs.