News
Warri chief disputes ‘powers’ of ruling house to suspend kingdom’s Ologbotsere
By Elo Edremoda, Warri
The Ginuwa l ruling house lack the powers to suspend the Ologbostere of Warri kingdom, a notable Warri chief, Akoma Dudu-Dimeyin, has said.
Chief Akoma, who is also a member of the Ginuwa I Ruling House, in a statement to journalists on Thursday, said he introduced Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, to deal with the Ologbostere, on his behalf, earlier in the year, during a meeting conveyed by Chief Ayiri Emami.
He claimed to have been the Olori-Ebi (regent) of the Ginuwa l ruling house until his health deteriorated and he directed Okotie-Eboh to act in his stead.
Akoma explained he spoke as Olori-Ebi when the Ologbotsere invited representatives of the Ginuwa I Ruling House to the meeting, where he informed them of the monarch’s state of health.
It will be noted the announced suspension of the Ologbotsere as chairman of the Olu Advisory Council/Warri Council of Chiefs, on Tuesday, was done under the leadership of Prince Okotie-Eboh, as the regent, Olori-Ebi, of the Kingdom.
A copy of the letter of appointment to the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Johnson Asterunleghe, asking him to assume position of acting chairman of the Council of Chiefs and the Olu’s Advisory Council for the kingdom, was made available to The Nation.
The letter was signed by the Olori-Ebi and secretary of the Ginuwa 1 ruling house, Warri kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie and Prince (Elder) Lucky Ebaje, respectively.
The statement reads: “You are hereby appointed as the acting chairman of the Olu Advisory Council/The Warri Council of Chiefs, with immediate effect.
“This appointment is made pursuant to the powers vested in Ginuwa 1 Ruling House, under paragraph one of the ‘declaration made under section 8 of the traditional rulers and chiefs edict, 1979, stating the customary law regulating succession to the title of Olu of Warri.
“You are expected to steer the Olu successor’s appointment process to give the kingdom an organised and speedy closure to the vacancy left on the throne of Warri Kingdom,” parts of the letter read.
But Chief Dudu-Dimeyin, in his statement said: “The Ginuwa I Ruling House, has no power to suspend the Ologbotsere or any other Chief. It is an individual or constituted authority that has the right to hire that can fire.’’
However, aggrieved indigenes were still at the protest ground as at 4.15pm on Thursday.
A source close to the palace confided to The Nation that the protesting people of Itsekiri nation plan to remain there until the “right thing is done”.
