After four days of intense pressure by his subjects, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, yesterday capitulated and bowed to the wish of his subjects, saying he had dropped the issue. The royal father succumbed at about 11:20 p.m. after pressure by various groups and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, when it became obvious that the aggrieved Itsekiris were not ready to yield to the demand of their monarch.

Even the presence of heavily armed security agents, mobilised to the palace at Ugboren in Ajamimogha area, did not deter the protesters as they turned out in thousands from their various communities in both upland and riverine areas to resist the “new order”.

An indication that the royal father had buckled down was first manifested when cannon shots were fired at about 11:30 p.m. which was very unusual.

Shortly after, the Warri Council of Chiefs emerged from the palace to drop the cheering news to the protesters amidst wild jubilation.

Spokesman of the council, Chief Charles Ikomi, told the crowd that the Olu of Warri had accepted to “drop the issue” an indication that he had capitulated.

Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori-Ogbebor commended the angry Itsekiris, comprising old men, women and youths, for their peaceful protests in the past few days and urged them to return to their various homes, adding: “Our monarch has dropped the issue.”

The message was terse but the protesters were satisfied and went into wild jubilation, while masquerades spiced the occasion with different traditional dances.

Another round of cannon shots were fired after the message was delivered, signaling the Itsekiris’ acceptance of the new position of their royal father.

The Council of Chiefs thereafter returned to the palace to thank the monarch for the decision, while the celebration lasted amongst the indigenes.

It was gathered that the monarch yielded to the demands of his subjects following deferent pressures from various groups and the 48-hour ultimatum given by the elders of the kingdom for the Olu of Warri to rescind his position.

Not only that, it was learnt that there was need to listen to the cries of his subjects following the position of three of his cabinet members that they did not know the reason for appending their signatures on the document, while one fled to Port Harcourt, to escape the wrath of their kinsmen and women.

The Itsekiri leaders, under the aegis of Itsekiri elders and Leaders of Thought, after several hours of deliberations and consultations on Monday, had given the Olu of Warri 48-hour ultimatum to rescind his declaration or abdicate the throne.

This came five days after thousands of youths and women laid siege to the Olu’s palace (Aghofen), Ugbori, located in Ajamimogha area of Warri, in protest against the declaration of the monarch, christened “The New Order of Iwere Kingdom”.

The elders and leaders of thought had told the monarch point blank that if he failed to rescind and recant his declaration immediately, he should be prepared to face the wrath of the people.

In a position paper, the Itsekiri leaders, under the auspices of Itsekiri Legacy Rebirth, a prominent Itsekiri elders/leaders opinion group, had dissociated themselves from the contentious declaration, saying it was not binding on anybody in the land.

The paper was signed by Pa J.O.S. Ayomike, Chief Isreal O. Jemide, Barr. Edward Ekpoko, J.E Agbejule, Amorighoye Mene, Barr. D.O. Anomuoghanran, Chief O.P. Edodo, Tony Ede, Prof. Nesin Omatseye, Julius Otiri, Hon. Patrick Fregene, Dr. Ibe, Dr. Felix Ideh, Chief Walter Odeli, among others.

The document, which was read by Dr. Alex Ideh, stated that the monarch neither consulted with Itsekiri Traditional Council of Chiefs, Itsekiri ruling houses nor critical stakeholders in the land before making his declaration.

They said the monarchy’s Christian beliefs were purely personal to him and could therefore not be decreed for the entire Itsekiri nation or be used to obliterate Itsekiri rich culture and traditions.

According to them, Ogiame Atuwatse II was well aware of the custom of his people, the name of the monarchical title, as well as the import of the Itsekiri anthem before his ascension to the throne.

Specifically, they said the Government Gazette published and promulgated at the coronation of the monarch on May 2, 1987, referred to title of the Olu of Warri as Ogiame Atuwatse II and so shall it be.

They said issues raised by the monarch in the controversial declaration touches on the fundamental of Itsekiri monarchial history that dates back over five centuries.

•Credit: Text, Daily Newswatch, Photo of Atuwatse II, PM News.

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