Olu of Warri crisis: Ayire disowns role in palace invasion

The embattled Ologbotsere (Traditional Prime Minister) of Warri Kingdom, Ayiri Emami, has distanced himself from the invasion of the palace of the Olu of Warri, where some items were alleged to have been carted away. Ayiri said this in Benin City while answering questions from journalists shortly after he was questioned by the Acting Inspector […]

The embattled Ologbotsere (Traditional Prime Minister) of Warri Kingdom, Ayiri Emami, has distanced himself from the invasion of the palace of the Olu of Warri, where some items were alleged to have been carted away.

Ayiri said this in Benin City while answering questions from journalists shortly after he was questioned by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Zone 5 headquarters, Benin, AIG Isaac Akinmoyede, over alleged burglary, stealing and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.

The traditional prime minister said, he was invited by the police based on the invasion of   the Olu of Warri’s palace, adding  “I told them I know nothing about the invasion because I wasn’t in town when the incident happened.

“The police just want to know the whereabouts of the things that were missing in the palace, and I told them I know nothing about it and there was nothing like signing an undertaken with the police.”

Ayiri said he is not against the Olu of Warri, but that the laid down rules and procedure must be followed.

“As a person, Ayiri cannot say he is not in support of Olu of Warri. We have laid down rules and procedures that the Itsekiri normally operates on,”

“The person in question is my brother and friend, so it’s not that I am not in support of whatever they are doing,” he said

While  pledging support for the kingdom, he said, “One of the issues why I am here is to ensure the laid down procedures in the kingdom were followed.

“It is not about Ayiri but the people of Warri kingdom. If they are happy, I am happy and that’s why I am the custodian. I don’t have issues with anybody, if they feel they are happy, then mine is to keep the heritage,”

Recall that the Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami has been having a running battle in the Itsekiri Kingdom with the ruling house following the passing of Olu Ogiame Ikenwoli and the emergence of an  Olu-designate, Prince Utienyinoritsetsola Emiko.