The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III over the weekend, invited Ayiri Emami to the palace and removed him as Ologbotsere (traditional prime minister) of Itsekiri land.
Ayiri Emami a controversial billionaire businessman in Warri, had held the title of Ologbotsere under the late Olu Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko but the passing of the Olu saw a huge controversy with major stakeholders kicking against Ayiri’s title as Ologbotsere.
Freelanews reports that Ayiri who strongly opposed the coronation of Olu Atuwatse III was invited to the monarch’s palace along with his family on Friday for a reconciliatory meeting which eventually didn’t well.
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During the meeting the monarch thanked Ayiri for his contribution to the Itsekiri kingdom and told him that going forward he should drop the title he currently holds and resort to his late father’s title, which Ayiri refused, stating that it would mean a demotion from his Ologbotsere title.
Upon his refusal, the monarch then ordered him to leave his palace, which he did amid applause from members of the Olu’s cabinet present; this is not before he was derobed of his traditional title ornaments which signified his removal as Ologbotsere. And thereafter, the monarch installed a new Ologbotsere Chief Oma Eyewuoma.
You would recall that Ayiri was strongly opposed to the king’s coronation in August 2021, going as far as challenging it in court. This led to the monarch derobing him then and also barring him from the palace that year.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
