Itsekiri oil magnate and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, says the traditional chieftaincy title ‘Ologbotsere’ is hereditary in the Itsekiri kingdom.
Emami made the assertion during the celebration of a reunion meeting of Ologbotsere descendants held in his residence in Egbokodo-Ubeji, Warri South Local Government Area of the state, on Friday.
Emami, who insisted that he remains the Ologbotsere of Itsekiri Kingdom, told journalists “The only certificate that I have to be Ologbotsere is just the lineage and how I was born. I am a blue-blooded Ologbotsere in the Itsekiri kingdom.”
He called on Itsekiri people, home and abroad, to “always uphold the custom and tradition of Itsekiri by doing things the right way and by following due process at all times.”
“We will not accept a situation where our custom and tradition will be turned upside down. We will continue to follow due process to achieve our goals. To this end, I can sacrifice anything for Itsekiri, and I stand by the laid-down procedures. I will continue to defend the custom and tradition of Itsekiri,” he stated.
“I’m a student of Itsekiri history. I have a ‘PhD’ already in Itsekiri affairs because I have been on it from the onset. I have been in good, bad, and ugly Itsekiri affairs. I understand the affairs of Itsekiri more than those who claim to be speaking for the Itsekiri nation,” he added.
It will be recalled that the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, in 2021 stripped Emami, of the title of Ologbotsere and installed Chief Oma Eyewuoma in his place.
But Emami went to court to challenge his removal.
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