Angry Itsekiri indigenes besieged the palace of the Olu of Warri today in protest against the Olu’s intention to confer very important traditional titles known as the Ologbotsere (Prime Minister) of the Warri Kingdom on Chief Ayiri Emami and two others.

According to the protesters, the people reserve the right to either reject or accept nominees.

In this case, the protesters said the Itsekiri people have rejected the nominations for reasons bordering on integrity and loyalty to the cause of the ethnic nationality.

They vowed to ensure the end of mono-monarchy system in Warri should the Olu proceed with the plan of making Ayiri Emami the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom.

The Olu of Warri is said to have planned to confer the second most powerful title or authority (Ologbotsere ) on Emami in the first week of August

Carrying placards, men and women, old and young marched through the streets of Warri to the Olu’s palace singing songs of solidarity

They forced themselves into the palace and headed straight into the chambers of the traditional ruler but they were stopped by some palace chiefs who intervened and calmed the situation.

After calm was restored, the protesters expressed their concerns and insisted that they would rather die defending the ancient prestige of the kingdom than to live to see it being taken over by personalities that are not worthy of leading it.

One of the leaders of the protests, Weyimi Agbateyinero asked the Olu to reconsider his stands and appoint qualified people also taking into cognisance the tradition and belief of the people.

He said, “Persons so nominated in the selection and nomination of Ologbotsere fall short of all known traditional standards and requirements paraded by previous occupants of such chieftainship in terms of age, integrity, intellectual capability, status, etc.

“The issues surrounding the selection of Iyasere and Uwangue titles did not follow all known traditional procedures and processes. Nominees for the Iyasere and Uwangue titles also lack the requirements for such exalted chieftaincy titles.”

Speaking on behalf of the palace and the candidates in question, Prince Yemi Emiko denied claims that that the Olu wants to impose traditional leaders on the people adding that families involved have been engaged in meetings before reaching an agreement on those to be presented.

He said, “It is not true that the Olu wants to impose anyone, that’s why it is so annoying. The title family has been engaged in meetings almost every other week in the last one year, trying to agree on who to present.

“Finally, about three months ago, they came in large numbers to the palace, presenting the three names.”

Meanwhile, it appears the protest may have yielded positive fruit as a source said the Olu may have suspended plans to confer the titles as planned in response to the protest by his subjects.