The Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, has been called upon to make efforts to engender trust and promote unity in the Itsekiri Nation.
Some indigenes of Warri, Itsekiri extraction, under the aegis of Iwere Consultative Forum, made the call, stating that the Itsekiri customs and tradition are under threat.
The Forum also appealed to concerned elders of the Itsekiri Nation to join the concerted effort to restore sense of unity and trust which it said has taken a flight from the people.
The advice was contained in an open letter by the Iwere Consultative Forum, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
According to an investigation, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, recently installed Chief Oma Eyewuoma as the new Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.
This was as the incumbent Ologbotsere, Chief Ayiri Emami, was still in Court challenging his suspension from same position.
Chief Emami was suspended as Ologbotsere of Warri and Chairman of the Olu Advisory Council, following the crisis that trailed the selection of the present Olu of Warri, Tsola Emiko, as Olu-designate.
In addition, there was a face-off between a prince of Warri Kingdom, Prince Yemi Emiko and a prominent elder, Mene Brown, over the comment of the latter that the princes have no say in running the affairs of the Olu Palace and the Itsekiri Kingdom.
Chairman of the Iwere Consultative Forum, Prince Clem Ade Omotoye and Secretary, Prince Arubi Ajofotan, in the joint letter, described the recent incidences as unfortunate and embarrassing to the Itsekiri Nation.
The duo argued that there have not been enough consultations in some of the actions attributed to the Olu of Warri, and pleaded that the interest of the people should be paramount.
“The question that comes to mind is, where are the Olu traditional advisers – the Chiefs? Where are his handlers, confidants etc?
“We feel that the Ologbotsere matter should have been handled differently, with more circumspection and with more regard for Itsekiri integrity.
“The present spat between Chief Mene Brown and Prince Yemi Emiko does not augur well for some parties in the existing legal suits. We feel it does not spell well to the foundation of the coronation.
“We will, for sub judice, make no comment further on this matter, even as we feel that it may be near impossible to involve the members of the peace committee in any Itsekiri enterprise in the foreseeable future, flowing from the event of Friday, 14 and Sunday, 16 April, 2023.
“Is the experience of Erejuwa II whose legitimacy on the throne was never questioned not enough for Itsekiri people, at least, as a cautionary tale?
Again, where are the traditional “advisers” and or the “handlers” of the Olu?
“We want to note here that the situation in our Kingdom is moving at a frightening pace that something should be done fast to ameliorate real and perceived wrongs and misgivings.
“Again, we must understand that Ogiame is not sovereign. He, like other traditional rulers in Nigeria, is not guaranteed special protection by the Constitution in a democratic setting, as we have in the country today.
“His powers are at the behest of Itsekiri. Ogiame is the Lord of the people but Itsekiri own the Ogiame (mini mini igbo, igbo mini).
“His powers are derived from Itsekiri. Over time, the powers have been delicately poised to enjoy the loyalty of the people.
“It is this loyalty that the Olu must strive to maintain for the crown to continue to be relevant.
“Unlike in the past, the Olu does not have power over life and property. The relevance of the Olu is dependent on his disposition, fairness and appeal.
“We must remind ourselves, again, that the place of an Olu and, indeed, all traditional rulers in Nigeria today is under the local government chairman.
“This makes it imperative to be extremely conscious, calculating, wise, fair, just, trust worthy and equitable, but not over-bearing.
“Given the aggressive nature, expansion tendencies and bellicosity of our neighbours, the crown and the people cannot get it wrong.
“Our neighbours, friends, well wishers, foes and, indeed, the world are watching the Ogiame and us.
“It is our sincere belief that the charade and drama are enough. The crown should not be doing anything to compound existing problems.
“The challenges are not insurmountable, if only we have desire to make peace and reconcile every aggrieved party. The acrimonious environment is toxic and is breeding disaster.
“Itsekiri cannot afford a divided nation, even as it appears that our neighbours have overtaken us in every sphere.
“It does not need a soothsayer to posit that we may be heading towards doom or extinction, if something positive and radical is not done quickly to harness, harmonise and unite the Itsekiri Nation.
“Nothing and nobody is too big for the cause. It is for the survival of the crown, people and land of Iwere Nation.
“On a final note, it is our humble advice that His Majesty be wary of perambulators and or praise-singers on royal corridors scavenging for royal recognition coming with different negative stories about other Itsekiri,” it was stated in the open letter.
The Forum made reference to an alleged marginalisation of recognised chiefs in Warri Kingdom and admonished His Majesty Ogiame, Atuwatse III to give certain chiefs the rights and privileges already accorded them in the custom and tradition of the Warri Kingdom.
“The only thing constant in nature is change. Tradition will evolve over time and Itsekiri traditions, mores and practices will change and be modernised with time.
“However such modernisation will not come by fiat or through the actions or proclamations of a “sovereign” or “monarch”.
“It will come by suasion, consultations and consensus. The traditional ruler, therefore, foisting such change on the people by way of fiat may have consequences.
“It is with the above in mind that we draw the attention of His Majesty to some of his conduct that he must necessarily pay attention to.
“This is in order not to be seen as a traditional ruler having no regard for the tradition of his people, thereby threatening his own relevance.
“Ogiame is occupying our traditional stool and must, therefore, adhere and be seen to adhere to the tradition and culture of the Itsekiri people.
“We observe with dismay how Ogiame sits as a king on the throne while the Olori sits side by side with him as a Queen. This, to our mind, is a misnomer.
“We are still battling researching on kingdoms all over the world with both a king and a queen at the same time.
“Traditionally speaking, the Olu sits on the throne as “Okparan” while been flanked (with reasonable space) by Ologbotsere to the right and Iyatsere to the left as “Ori-Eni” without more,” Princes Omotoye and Ajofotan stated.
