By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The Acting Ologbosere and the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Atseleghe yesterday insisted that the former Ologbosere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami remain suspended and cautioned the media from referring to him as such.
The warring factions ahead of plan towards the coronation of the Prince Tsola Emiko , the Olu of Warri designate met for the second time at the Zone 5 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force in Benin in furtherance of peace move to end the crisis the trailer the emergence of Prince Emiko.
Attempts to get an interview from the both sides however was rebuffed. But Atserunleghe on the sideline of their meetings cautioned the media to desist from addressing Ayiri as the Ologbosere of Warri Kingdom.
Recalled that the Police had last week questioned Chief Ayiri Emani for several hours over the invasion of the palace of the Olu of Warri where it was reported that the 400 years old crown and the symbol of the Itsekiri monarchy were declared missing.
The demise of the immediate past Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli (Atuwatse II), in December 2020, had created a succession tussle which eventually produced Prince Tsola Emiko as the chosen Olu-elect (Omoba) in Warri.
Ayiri, had last week told journalists that he was “invited based on the incident in Warri and it happens to be the invasion of the Olu palace that was why I was invited and I told them I know nothing about that because I was not in town when that incident happened so I know nothing about it and I told them I know nothing about it.
“It is about that laid down procedure, which is one of the reasons why I am here and I have told the police. The police have questioned me on that issue, what led to the invasion; I have answered that and other issues I can’t divulge.
Alluding to his interest in ensuring peace had stated “The person in question (Olu designate) is my brother; he is my friend, so, I have no personal issue when you say Ayiri is not in support, whatever we are doing as Itsekiri, there are laid down procedure and that is what I am trying to do so it is not that I am not in support in whatever they are doing.
“I am not the one that reported this issue here, they reported and I have been invited and I came here and I have made my statement so it is left for the police to act not me. “I don’t have any issue with anybody; it is not about Ayiri it is about the people of Warri Kingdom, if they are happy, I am happy that is why I am the custodian.
“I don’t have any personal issues against anybody, if they feel they are happy, mine is to keep the heritage and that is what I stand for but if they are happy about it, I am happy.” Had stated