The leaders in a statement by their Chairman, Pa J.O.S Ayomike and Chief Isaac Jemide, said Ogiame was synonymous with Olu (kingship) of Warri Kingdom and if wiped out, it would mean the Olu of Warri has been terminated.
Other leaders who signed the statement included the Secretary, Edward Ekpoko, A.S. Mene, O.P. Edodo, Prof. Nesin Omatseye, Julius Otiri, Tony Ede, J.E. Agbejule and Mr. D.O. Anomuogharan.
According to them, after due consultation with relevant stakeholders in Iwereland, the Itsekiri people want this new order renounced.
The statement said, “We, therefore, advise the Olu of Warri to act accordingly.”
“Ogiame has been the unchanged name of the Warri monarch since its creation in 1480 and Atuwatse 11, the name of the reign that began in 1987. If the former is abolished, the monarchy would have been extinguished and if Atuwatse 11 ceases to be Ogiame, his reign as the Warri monarch would have expired. Neither is possible.”
The leaders said that it was well -known documented historical fact that Christianity began in Warri/Benin region in the early 16th century and about eight Olus of the 19 Olus got baptised as Christians, noting that Itsekiri as a nation cannot be said to have covenant with Umalokun, as the word Ogiame only means king or ruler of the region so founded.
They re-stated that religion was a personal matter and no one can stop the Olu from being a devout Christian, just as he too, cannot also stop or condemn others practising their religion, adding that the new order proclaimed by Atuwatse 11 was legally not binding on anybody.
They maintained that it was unfortunate that the Olu thought that his people worship or sing anthem of worship to him and his ancestors, adding that the subjects deeply respect and honour the Oluship as an institution.
The stage for an epic battle in Iwere (Warri) kingdom, Delta State, was set, yesterday, following the rebuff of the entreaties of palace chiefs by the Olu of Warri to withdraw his controversial September 4, proclamation.
The palace chiefs, led by the Igba of Warri kingdom, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, had mounted pressure on the monarch, in the last few days, to revoke his ‘New Order”, renouncing the Ogiame title, borne by past Itsekiri kings, including him, in the past 500 years.
The chiefs, acting on behalf of Itsekiri people, who were taken aback by the proclamation of their revered monarch, had also asked him to recant his rejection of the age-long custom of the people, which he (Olu) described as ungodly, among other things.
But, the Olu stuck to his guns, saying that as royal priest of God, placed by God as a king over His people, he would neither serve inferior gods nor lead God’s children to serve the gods of sea, land and sky.
His strong-willed resistance infuriated Itsekiri chiefs, who, rising from another meeting, yesterday, insisted on withdrawal of the edict, saying he could not use force to coerce the people.
With the latest development, agitators from different parts of Itsekiri land, whose siege to the palace entered the third day, yesterday, have advised the monarch to abdicate the throne in his interest if he was not prepared to abide by the customs and tradition of the people.
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan had on Sunday urged the agitators to give him two days to sort out the matter with the monarch, but at press time, yesterday, it was not sure the Olu of Warri has changed his position.
The palace chiefs, led by Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, also pleaded with the agitators on Sunday to give them 48 hours to address the monarch on the cause of disagreement and get back to them.
By Monday morning, there was no green light from the monarch and opposition against him was swelling by the day.
The 48 hours requested by the governor and chiefs respectively expires today (Tuesday), but the chiefs scheduled a meeting at 12.00 pm, yesterday, to further deliberate on the impasse.
Chief Lori-Ogbebor briefed the agitators at the end of the meeting on the stand of the chiefs. It was not clear the last-minute strategy Governor Uduaghan has adopted to persuade the Olu to listen to his subjects.
She said the Itsekiri monarch was being deceived by a few power seeking individuals with hidden agenda, who had abandoned him in the heat of the unwarranted and unacceptable declaration allegedly made by the monarch renouncing his traditional appellation of “Ogiame”, which engendered protest from the length and breadth of the Itsekiri nation.
In a statement signed by 22 of the palace chiefs present and read by her, they said they have nothing to do with any deity, noting that in Warri Kingdom, there were Christians, Muslims and pagans to the extent that the Olu appointed an Itsekiri as a Chaplain for the Kingdom.
They stated: “The truth of the whole scenario is that a few selfish and power seeking individuals with hidden agenda masterminded the crafting of this said edict. Now that the game is up, the authors have abandoned the monarch and gone into hiding.
“The handwriting on the wall is now clear that the monarch has been deceived and consequently the Olu should follow the path of honour and withdraw the declaration. Thereafter he will settle down to reign as a dedicated missionary and whosoever may become converted.
“To use force or law or edict will be counterproductive”, they warned.
Itsekiri women protest today
Meanwhile, Itsekiri women will today troop out in their numbers to the palace to protest the alleged change of the Ogiame title by His Majesty, Atuwatse 11, the Olu of Warri to yet an unannounced name.
Youths vow to continue protest
Also, 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.
Source: Vanguard
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