Masquerades,Youths Take Over Olu Of Warri's Placae

Itsekiri youths, led by Comrade Omolubi Newuwumi and Austin Oniyesan, yesterday, vowed to continue with their peaceful agitation until the revered monarch reversed his declaration made on September 4, 2013 renouncing the Ogiame title and other traditional rites practiced by the Itsekiri people.

After yesterday’s address by Chief Lori-Ogbebor, Itsekiri indigenes took over the palace grounds with their peaceful protests, while dancing and entertainment by the masquerades continued.

What we told Uduaghan, palace chiefs – Agitators

A leader of the agitators told Vanguard before Chief Lori-Ogbebor addressed them, yesterday, “We specifically told Governor Uduaghan to tell the Olu to annul his controversial edict or abdicate the throne. What we are expecting is that he should go on exile if he is not prepared to be Ogiame. We are not begging anybody to be our king.”

The Akulagba of Warri kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami, who was sighted among the chiefs heading for the meeting told Vanguard, “We are doing everything to resolve the problem.”

However, information reached Vanguard that six of the palace chiefs who signed the edict by the Olu of Warri, title, “The New Order of Iwere (Warri) Kingdom,” had recanted, saying they signed without knowing the implication.

Three others have reportedly gone into hiding following the mass protest by other Itsekiri indigenes against their action, while the fourth chief reportedly fled to Port-Harcourt, on Sunday after he was saved from being pounded by a fellow chief.

Olu refuses Ogiame greeting

An Itsekiri youth leader said, “We were surprised three days ago when we met with the monarch and greeted him in the traditional way, Ogiame, more than six times. He refused to answer us and that is sacrilegious in our custom.”

“We have a proverb that says that if the subjects greet the king, he should embrace them and reciprocate the homage paid to him, but in this case, he did not answer us. He simply said he should not be greeted in that way, that is against our custom and tradition that he swore to uphold.”

It was observed, yesterday morning, that chief priests, princes and princesses and hundreds of Itsekiri indigenes continued with their siege, waiting anxiously at the gate to hear that the monarch has renounced his statement.