SAN FRANCISCO, September 10, (THEWILL) – The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II, has reversed his controversial edict that has pitched him against his subjects, including his powerful council of chiefs.
Ogiame Atuwatse’s u-turn was announced on Tuesday by Chief Lori-Ogbebor, one of the influential palace chiefs, after a meeting of chiefs and the traditional ruler, who is a born-again Christian.
Update:
Peace has returned to Warri Kingdom as the four days siege to the Olu of Warri’s palace, by irate Itsekiri youths and women protesting the controversial declaration by the monarch, is now over.
The end to the siege on Tuesday followed the decision of His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II, to recant his controversial edict which had brought him into confrontation with his subjects.
The monarch was said to have retraced his steps owing to intense pressure and heightened tension in Warri resulting from his alleged anti-tradition edict.
The Olu, who eventually succumbed to the will of his subjects on Tuesday, had earlier renounced his title, “Ogiame” which he alleged connotes allegiance to the “Umalokun” deity.
It was learnt that the main crux of the protest against the Olu’s edict was the age-long “Ogiame” title which Itsekiri Leaders of Thought said has been the unchanged name of the Warri monarch since its creation in 1480 and Atuwatse II, the name of the reign that began in 1987.
They had affirmed that “If the former is abolished, the monarchy would have been extinguished and if Atuwatse II ceases to be Ogiame, his reign as the Warri monarch would have expired.”
It was learnt that Atuwatse II finally bowed to the people’s will after much “examination” on Itsekiri history by the ruling houses, chiefs historians and even some clerics to convince the monarch that the “Ogiame” title has nothing to do with deity.
THEWILL learnt that the delegations to the monarch had to remind the monarch that about eight of 19 Olus got baptised as Christians and that no one is stopping him from being a “devout” Christian as the country’s constitution gives him the fundamental right to practice a religion of his belief without let or hindrance.
It was learnt that the delegations also told the monarch that his Christian beliefs are purely personal and should neither be decreed for the entire Itsekiri nation nor be used to obliterate Itsekiri rich culture and traditions.
It was also gathered that Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has been mounting pressure on the Olu since Sunday when he earlier addressed the people to listen to the voice of his subjects and for peace to reign.
“The governor has been calling Olu by phone minute per minute since Sunday,” a source told THEWILL, saying after several hours of heated deliberations, the monarch decided to let go and for the first time emerged from his inner chambers in the palace to meet with the protesters, some of whom were already inside the compound waiting for the outcome of the meeting.
The Olu as a sign of agreement to the wishes of his subjects, then waved his “royal staff” to acknowledge the people who in turn chanted “Ogiame suoooo” before he retired inside the palace, flanked by traditional chiefs.
Itsekiri opinion leaders, Chief Lori Ogbebor, who led the traditional chiefs to the meeting with the Olu then broke the cheery news to a handful of the people inside the compound, prompting tumultuous chanting and drumming in celebration as the palace gate was then thrown open for the first time as the protesters immediately gained access to the palace after fours day of siege.
Convener of the protest , Prince Omolubi Newuwunmi, informed journalists who besieged the palace that the monarch, after an exhaustive meeting with Itsekiri leaders, chiefs and other stakeholders, decided that the status-quo should be maintained.
The media aide to Newuwunmi, Mr. Osahon J. Osahon, in a statement made available to newsmen, said it was a “No Victor, No Vanquish” situation as the Itsekiri will ever remain loyal to the Kingdom.
He however noted that the five days peaceful protest was not targeted to spite the monarch whom they revered so much as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Itsekiri people.
“The protest was not against any individual person or group but a fight for the destiny of the Itsekiri nation,” he said in the statement , adding that it was one of the most peaceful protests in history as nobody was hurt nor any building razed.
Newuwunmi therefore called on the people to remain steadfast, loyal and obedient to the Olu, saying he remains their monarch.
While thanking the entire people of Itsekiri for trooping out in their large numbers to protest t the unpopular decision, Newuwunmi said there was no victor, no vanquished as the people of Itsekiri remain ever loyal to their King, Ogiame Atuwatse 11.
He also expressed gratitude to all journalists who reported accurately without bias as events unfolded in the Olu’s palace, saying the protest shows that the voice of the people will always prevail if they speak in one voice.
It would be recalled that trouble started last Wednesday when the monarch issued a “declaration”, to which he renounced “Umalokun” (goddess of the sea) which he alleged his people had a blood covenant with.
He also renounced the title “Ogiame” which he alleged connotes an allegiance to “Umalokun” deity.
The monarch also abolished the Itsekiri anthem which he alleged is sung as a “worship to the king”.
Also, he purportedly banned “all sacrifice of wine, blood, food, water, kola nut and other items (known and unknown) offered in Iwere land.
