By Emeka Okafor
Embattled Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami, has reacted to his deposition by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse lll, as the traditional prime minister of Warri.
Ayiri, who spokes exclusively to NIGER DELTA TODAY, said the Itsekiri monarch has no power to take such action.
The Olu of Warri had on Tuesday morning officially announced the derobing of Chief Ayiri as Ologbotsere
Atuwatse lll made the pronouncement at a ceremony held at his palace on Tuesday in Warri.
The proclamation ended Ayiri’s four-year reign as Ologbotsere, traditional prime minister.
The Itsekiri monarch also instructed his subjects and people of Itsekiri Nation worldwide not to address the prominent chief as Ologbotsere.
The traditional ruler, however, empowered the Olori-Ebi to take charge of the activities of the Ologbotsere family till further notice.
But speaking with our correspondent following the pronouncement, Ayiri stated that the monarch has no power to disposed him since he was already challenging the process that produced him as Olu in court.
“He has no power to do so. I don’t recognised him as Olu of Warri. I’m already in court with him. I’ll take further action to tell the court to stop him from parading himself as Olu.
“I’m already challenging the processes that produced him but now I am consulting my lawyers to file a new motion stopping him from parading himself as our king”, Ayiri stated.
On the meeting between the monarch and the Ologbotsere family, the billionaire businessman and politician, said “he (Olu of Warri) invited the Ologbotsere family for meeting and my people honoured him where he made the pronouncement.
“He did not hear from his guests – Ologbotsere family. The family (Ologbotsere family) have agreed to meet on Thursday to review and take a position in this latest development. The meeting will hold in Warri.”
Chief Ayiri, however, appealed to his supporters and Itsekiri Nation worldwide to remain calm on the latest development.
Why addressing him as a chief he is no more a chief he is just an ordinary Mr as far as Isekiri . Nation consign