Who will save Ex-Warri Prime Minister, Chief Ayiri Emami?

Warri High Chief Ayiri Emami is not in the best of mood lately most especially after coming under fire posing a strong opposition to the selection and coronation of the Olu of Warri Ogiame Atuwase III Olu Emiko Tshola. Ayiri averred that; the selection of the then Omoba designate now Olu of Warri ran fowl of the selection process.

After several controversies which led to his suspension by the Ginuwa 1 Ruling house as the Ologbotsere traditional Prime Minister of Warri Kingdom, some claimed that according to Warri customary and chieftaincy law, the Ginuwa 1 ruling house has the constitutional power to suspend any chief. Ayiri is currently in court to challenge his suspension as the traditional prime minister, selection and coronation of the new Olu of Warri.

Ayiri Emami

After several backs and forth, against all odds, the Olu of Warri was coronated amidst pomp and pageantry on the 21^st of August at the Ode Itshekiri. The coronation of the new Olu has further buried all impending issues as regards coronation as the Olu has since moved on with the business of leading and repositioning the kingdom. On the 1^st of September via a memo with the seal of the Olu states that; “I, Ogiame Atuwatse III, hereby, announce, for the information of the general public, the Delta State government and particularly, the traditional rulers and chiefs committees, the dissolution of all traditional councils, committees, sub-committees and the scheduled exercise of revalidation/confirmation effective from the 2nd day of September, 2021. For the avoidance of doubt, the Warri Council of Chiefs, the Olu Advisory Council (Ojoye Ojisan), the Olu-in-Council, all standing ad hoc and sub-committees are dissolved forthwith; the mandatory revalidation/confirmation of Chieftaincy titles shall commence on the 2nd day of September 2021.”

Sources further claimed that; after the memo by the Olu on revalidation of all titleholders in the kingdom, Chief Ayiri was not recognized by the Olu of Warri as the Ologbotsere. He was said to have been stripped of the highly coveted title after his antagonism for the newly installed Olu. Days ago, the former Warri prime minister took edibles as he went to appease the gods of the water (Olokun) to save him from the imminent shame that is currently befalling him. “The revalidation exercise is to make sure titles are given to worthy people who are loyal to the new Olu of Warri. It’s just like a governor or President dissolving cabinet members from a previous government. As it stands, Chief Ayiri has lost the title as the Ologbotsere. A new occupant of that title would not be announced anytime soon as there would be no Ologbotsere during the reign of Ogiame Atuwase III. It’s in line with the traditional consitiution power of the Olu to give a title and also revoke it. The only reason Ayiri can be given back that title is if he buries his ego and apologize to the Olu and withdraw all lawsuit in court challenging his validity and candidacy then, he might be given a second chance if not his removal remains valid” A source said.

Another close source averred that Ayiri is currently in talks with some high-profile individuals in the kingdom and the country to help him persuade the Olu to rescind his decision of stripping him of the title. The pleas have not been accepted. As we speak he is running from pillar to post to salvage the situation. a source added.