…declares General Assembly call illegal, threat to peace

The Ologbotsere of Warri, Delta State, Chief Ayiri Emami, yesterday, declared as illegal and confusing, the general assembly of the Itsekiri people scheduled for today.

Emami, in a statement, said  that as the Ologbotsere, he has the prerogative  to convene a general assembly of the Itsekiri.

He said he did not authorize or delegate  any one to call a general assembly of the kingdom.

A section of the Ginuwa 1 Ruling House announced the suspension of Emami on Monday, and installed Chief Johnson Atserueghe, the Iyatsere, to act in his stead.

Against this background, there were hints that a general assembly of the kingdom has been slated for Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) today.

Chief Emami’s suspension has been debunked by the Otolus (princes), who insisted that only an Olu has the power to suspend or remove an Ologbotsere.

Meanwhile, Chief Emami has urged security agencies to take action against the conveners of the assembly, stressing that their action could lead to a breach of peace in the kingdom.

He said he has not “summoned any general assembly in Ode-Itsekiri or any another venue.”

“Information reaching me is that some elements who want to cause confusion in our dear Warri Kingdom are making frantic efforts to call tor a general assembly.

“Let it be that that by virtue of the Declaration BDSL 147 pursuant to the edict of 1979, which guides the procedure for selection to be he succession of the throne of Olu of Warri, when an Olu is indisposed, it is on the Ologbotsere that has the power to summon General Assembly of the Itsekiri nation. Any action taken by any other person)s) is in confrontation to the Edict,” he said.

Chief Emami called on security agencies to hold those who flout the edict responsible for any breach of peace that occurs in Warri Kingdom.