Finally, the raging controversy over who becomes the new Ologbotsere (Traditional Prime Minister) of Warri Kingdom has been laid to rest as the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli on Saturday installed Chief Etoromi Emami as the new Ologbotsere.
The coveted position had been vacant for over 30 years. The Ologbotsere is next in ranking to the Olu, followed by the Iyatsere and the Uwangue in hierarchy in the Kingdom.
The monarch also conferred the titles of Iyatsere and Uwangue on Chief Johnson Atserelughe of Ologbo and Mr. Awala of jakpa respectively.
With the installation, Chief Emami, popularly known as Ayiri becomes the youngest Ologbotsere produced so far by the Ologbotsere descendants in Itsekiri land.
The installation ceremony which took place at the Olu’s palace in Warri caught most Itsekiri indigenes unaware as it was not made public by the palace and performed low -keyed as was done in the case of the late Iyatsere and Oshodin of warri by previous monarchs.
Meanwhile, the two other families, the Diare and Omasan descendant of the Uwangue are protesting the non-inclusion of their nominee, Barr. Jolomi Rewane as in the selection of the Ologbotsere.
They alleged that they were short-changed and therefore do not accept the candidature and installation of Chief Ayirimi as the Ologbotsere of Warri.
It will be recalled that the entire Ologbotsere family had on Thursday in Sapele appealed to other members of the family to drop their candidate who were nominated late and also coming from a family that has earlier produced a chief for the position.
“The entire Ologbotsere descendant according to them had agreed that only families that has not produce any person for the title before should be given the opportunity to produce a candidate this time around.
“As at Thursday they insisted on their agreed choice of Ayiri whose name was immediately resubmitted to Olu of Warri”.
It was however celebration galore at the residences of the newly installed chiefs as people trooped to their various abode to rejoice with them.
Meanwhile, even as some are jubilating there are pockets of dissenters insisting that they are going to contest the installation of these three persons in the law court to seek redress and get justice.
