For over two years now, socialite and businessman Chief Ayiri Emami and the Olu of Warri; Ogaiame Atuwatse III have been at loggerheads since the Olu was selected to be coronated as Olu of Warri years ago as Chief Ayiri opposed his selection and coronation process but against all odds, despite different back and forth; Ogiame Atuwatse III was coronated amidst pomp. After his coronation; he gave a standing order that all chiefs should come to the palace to revalidate that chieftaincy but Ayiri who was an erstwhile Ologbotsere of Warri refused to obey the orders of the king as he didn’t show up to revalidate his chieftaincy.
As it is known traditionally that the words of the king are backed by unquestionable authority; Olu of Warri stripped Ayiri of the Ologbotsere title as the Traditional Prime minister. After several top warri people waded into the issue; at a general assembly on the Aghofen months ago, Chief Ayiri came out, paid homage by kneeling down before the King, and submitted his beads and swords which automatically means he relinquished the Ologbotsere title according to tradition. In his magnanimous nature; Olu offered Ayiri the Title of Eyeku of Warri Kingdom a title once held by his late father Chief Akonu Emami but Ayiri declined the title saying it was either the Ologbotsere or nothing. Ogiame also advised Ayiri that to have the Ologbotsere title, he will need to follow due process by climbing the ladder again by meeting the requirements but he declined and the Olu thanked him for all he has done for the kingdom and asked him to sit in the congress but Ayiri stormed out of the palace in the company of his aggrieved people. Using his prerogative as the King; he immediately elevated the Aboludero of Warri Kingdom Chief Oma Eyewuoma, Deputy Director at Conoil as the new Ologbotsere of Warri kingdom and gave him his blessings.
A source said that to date, Ayiri still addresses himself as the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom as he now forms a parallel kingdom owning to his massive followership and his filial relationship with President Tinubu. The Socialite last month celebrated the 6th year anniversary of his installation as the Ologbotsere of Warri a day that collided with the Ologbotsere Descendant General Assembly where here he hosted all sundry and offered sacrifice. A source says; several messages have been sent to Ayiri by the Olu and his chiefs for him to desist from addressing himself as Ologbotsere but he has defied all odds claiming he is still the Ologbotsere and no one can strip him of his title.
