Itsekiri Nation hundred percent behind Olu-Elect- Pinnick
The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Mr Amaju Pinnick, has joined sons and daughters of Itsekiri nation throwing their weight behind the emergency of Prince Tsola Emiko as the Olu of Warr-Elect.
Pinnick, who was recently elected into the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) Council, declared in an interview monitored on Arise Television today that the Itsekiri people were one hundred percent in support of Prince Tsola Emiko.
He stated that the process leading to the choice of Prince Emiko could not be reversed, adding that it was fixated on crowning Prince Tsola Emiko in three months’ time.
Pinnick, an Itsekiri, argued that the Itsekiri nation has had 20 Olus of Warri, four Ologbotseres and only one had crowned the Olus, explaining that he had authorities and records to back up his position.
According to the NFF president, the edict of 1979 on the crowning of a new Olu was put together by people he referred to as having various persuasions and interests, saying Itsekiri people were not going for it but the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, citing Section 42, Subsection 2 as superior to that edict.
He advised the Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami, not to allow himself to be used by people but to give peace a chance, pointing out that Itsekiri had in the past settled such issues as a united family.
“He (Chief Ayiri Emami) knows the process can never ever be reversed. It is not possible. The process is fixated on crowning Prince Tsola Emiko in three months’ time. And by God’s grace, nothing will stop it.
“The edict was put together by people with various persuasions and interests. We are not going to go into that. The Constitution of Nigeria is superior to that edict.
“You (Chief Ayiri Emami) have paid your dues in Iwere land. I am appealing to you not to allow yourself to be used by those hiding under you.
“This is not the Itsekiri that I know. Everything we do, we do it within the confines of the Aghofen (Palace Family) and it ends there.
“We had 20 Olus and 4 Ologbotseres. What does that tell you? Of the four Ologbotseres, only one has crowned the Olu. What has happened? Nothing! And nothing will happen in three months’ time.
“The Itsekiri nation is 100 percent behind Tsola Emiko and that is the truth and we will not go back on it,” Pinnick Stated.
On his part, the Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief Ayiri Emami, dismissed the emergence of a new Olu of Warri, saying the announcement of Prince Tsola Emiko as Omoba (Olu Designate) is illegal.
Ayiri, while calling for calm among Itsekiri people and concerned Nigerians, noted that the revered Olu stool was not for the highest bidder.
In an exclusive interview retrieved from an online media on Monday, Ayiri stated that of the seven kingmakers in the kingdom only two of the kingmakers were present at the ceremony held at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiri people in Delta State.
“I don’t support illegality. You don’t buy Itsekiri custom and tradition. The throne comes to you. I’m not part of what is going on there. That’s illegality, and that’s why I am not there.
“Out of seven, it’s only two kingmakers that were there. I am urging Itsekiris and indeed, all Nigerians remain calm. Itsekiri will announce their king when the time comes. Emami as the Ologbotsere of Warri will never support illegality in any form,” he said.
In the meantime, President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated the Itsekiri nation on the announcement of a new Olu of Warri, as pronounced by the Iyatsere of Warri Kingdom.
The President, in a statement by his Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Tuesday also condoled with the people of Itsekiri nation on the passage of the immediate-past Olu, His Royal Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, which had been formally announced.
Buhari prayed that the Olu-designate, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko, would have a peaceful reign, sign posted by massive development of Itsekiri land.
He stressed the need for love and reconciliation after a pulsating race for the throne, noting that “peradventure any dissension exists such should be resolved through due process.”
The president further maintained that as the Itsekiri nation mourned their departed Olu for three months, he prayed godly comfort for them and a smooth ascendancy for the incoming traditional ruler.
The new Olu of Warri was born on April 4, 1984.
