Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,153,323 members, 7,819,103 topics. Date: Monday, 06 May 2024 at 11:23 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes (2466 Views)
HURIWA Alleges Maltreatment Of Igbo Ethnic Nationality By Buhari - The Guardian / Senators Disagree On Nationality Of Killer Herdsmen / Open Letter To Rivers People By Concerned Rivers Youth (2) (3) (4)
An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by perculiarperson: 11:36pm On Sep 25, 2015 |
My most beloved people of the Iwere Kingdom, I greet you all. I received this article today from Concerned Iwere Indigenes stating their position on the happenings and deceit trailing the selection of the new Olu of Warri... However, a voice has arisen amongst the Itsekiri people under the umbrella of the Concerned Iwere Indigenes (CII.) to contest and expose the plans of these evil men! May it never work for these evil, small minded men in Jesus' name - Amen! OP please place on the home page. It is of high importance and significance to a sect of people in our nation Nigeria today. (Psalm 2 : 1-2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,) For The Attention of Itsekiri Council of Chiefs. Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Political Leaders, Opinion Leaders and Itsekiri National Youth Council. We, Concerned Iwere Indigenes, as keen observers of the unfolding events in Iwere Kingdom, believe it is pertinent we should air our views on the development. We believe sentiments and prejudice have been allowed to prevail over rational reasoning and judgement. The choice of candidate by the Emiko ruling house for the Itsekiri Crown is Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko, Brother of Olu Atuwatse II. We gathered that in all the meetings and deliberations by the Emiko ruling house which threw up Ikenwoli as their choice for the crown, the two sons of Atuwatse II, Prince Tsola Emiko and Prince Toju Emiko were never contacted or invited. We however, heard that they were belatedly called for after the name of Prince Ikewonli had been presented to the council and the two sons were told to cooperate with the family in the interest of peace to prevail in the family and Iwere Kingdom. Being raised as peaceful men and in the interest of peace over the Iwere kingdom, they obliged. The Principal reason for the Emiko ruling house ruled out the two sons, we are told, was because of the gazette publication by the defunct Bendel State Government in 1979 stating that a choice olu can only be crowned if his mother is Itsekiri or Bini. We also gathered that another reason why they picked Prince Ikenwoli as their choice is that they believe he is the rightful person for the throne. How can it be argued and justified that if one’s father is itsekiri, and the mother is not Bini or Itsekiri, that the person is not an Itsekiri? Was Olu Atuwatse II king over the Itsekiri People? Are his sons Itsekiri? Are all Itsekiri whose mothers are not Bini or Itsekiri outcasts? We know the Itsekiri as a people, operates largely a patrilineal genealogy “Otonolokere” Generally, community heads, Olare-Ajas, in Iwereland are installed irrespective of their maternal pedigree. All Olus that have reigned in Warri kingdom reigned irrespective of their maternal pedigree. So in Itsekiri history, we have Olus whose mothers were not Binis or Itsekiri. We cannot recall any time in the past where matrilineal descent was used as a criterion to discriminate against a candidate for the Warri Crown. Also, there is precedence in the lineage of Past Olus that ascended the throne and neither had Edo nor Itsekiri mothers. For example, Prince Ginuwa left Benin without being married, and he famously married an Ijaw lady, Derumo. He famously had two sons, Ijijen & Irame. Who was the mother of these two sons of Ginuwa? Also the son of Atuwatse I and his Portugese wife, Olu Oyenakpagha ruled as Olu without dispute. These can be examples are recorded in history for all to see. In Itsekiri tradition and customs, it is the Olu that is the law in matters concerning the Itsekiri Nation, who can dispute it? Any edict or publication by the state government that did not have the imprimatur or signature and seal of the Olu in our opinion, is rather misleading and cannot be said to be valid. The then Ologbotsere who was responsible for making the then Bendel State government enact that gazette was not an Olu. We are not aware of any referendum that was conducted and a consensus reached by the Itsekiri people before the edict was issued? Furthermore, may we ask, did the gazette have the signature and seal of the Itsekiri Council of Chiefs before it was taken to state government to issue it? If so, where is the proof of the minutes of deliberations on which the chiefs took the decision before forwarding it to the then state government? We therefore appeal to all Iwere sons and daughters to view the gazette publication as arbitrary, vacuous, utterly discriminatory, capricious, vindictive, unfair, unjust and fragrant negation as well as an outright violation of Itsekiri tradition and custom. Furthermore, the provision of the gazette need not take into account Itsekiri-Yoruba historical affinity and root with the Yorubas as it is well known and documented in history. Itsekiri ethnic nationality is largely a Yoruba sub-tribe. This is a statement of fact. The Yoruba ethnic nationality acknowledge it as we do. Whenever Itsekiri is mentioned, it implicitly refers to a Yoruba sub-tribe. That the gazette did not mention Yoruba should be seen as an obvious acknowledgement of the existing affinity which long predates 1979 our Yoruba ancestry cannot be denied us. We call on all Itsekiri with Yoruba history to resist this discrimination. The discrimination against The sons of Atuwatse II is a discrimination against all Itsekiri with Yoruba root or history. Further still, even when a government gazette either by omission or commission is in error about our history, should we allow ourselves to be hamstringed or gaged by such error? We should do the right thing, and that is to give the gazette the right interpretation with the facts of our history. Yet further still, why should we allow an "erroneous" gazette publication make maternal descent a discriminatory basis for ascension to the Itsekiri throne to the total disregard of the actual facts of our history? The Olu is the final authority in Itsekiri matters, period. The Good People of Iwere Kingdom, this indeed is a pertinent question we cannot afford to ignore. Most importantly, Atuwatse II, as the Olu of Warri, made a proclamation to the itsekiri ethnic nationality in 2010 which contained a number of reforms in Itsekiri tradition, including the statement that any candidate for the Itsekiri Crown, his mother must be Itsekiri, Bini or Yoruba. It was signed and sealed by the Olu himself. The proclamation is law in Itsekiri tradition. It was given the widest publicity both in English and Itsekiri Languages. It was published in national newspapers. To the best of our knowledge, no itsekiri person, man or woman any voice or opinion of dissent against the proclamation to this day. Itsekiris always say, after God, it is the Olu. The Olu has the final authority on all matters succession. If we now say the Olu’s 2010 proclamation is not law or valid for the Itsekiri people because it was not gazette by the state government, it means that future itsekiri Kings will no longer have any right or power to make decisions or pronouncements regarding Itsekiri tradition and norms. Anything they want to say must always have the backing of a government gazette. To the best of our knowledge, we, Concerned Iwere Indigenes are not aware of any tribe that is doing that in Delta state or Nigeria at large. The implication of this is very grave and will sooner or later turnaround to hunt and hurt and possibly destroy whatever semblance of community we have. We shall not be able to escape it. Let no Itsekiri person make any mistake about it. We believe this may have been the reason why Olu Atuwatse II did not see the need to seek a government gazette to back his 2010 proclamation. As a trained lawyer, the Olu was more thoughtful and wise about his action than many people realize. Most importantly, those who rejected Atuwatse II proclamation in 2010, partly or completely, risk committing a major taboo in Itsekiri, as they imply that The Olu is infact NOT Afomasin! All our ancestors are watching us, and most importantly, God Almighty is watching us. Now, let us compare and contrast the proclamation the Olu made in 2013, to bring about some changes in certain aspects of Itsekiri tradition. Itsekiri people got wind of it and protested against it. The Olu listened to the itsekiri people and suspended the matter, pending further wide consultations with his people. This same protest did not meet the 2010 proclamation and as such widely accepted. Now to the second issue: Is it indeed true that Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko was denied the crown in 1987? We, Concerned Iwere Indigenes do not believe so. Even if Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko was truly Olu Erejuwa II preference for the throne before his demise, it must be made clear that that alone was not sufficient to confer on him an automatic ticket to become the Olu. The installation of new Olu after the demise of Erejuwa II followed the due process of Itsekiri tradition. The ruling house presented four names as their choice to Itsekiri traditional council. The name of Erejuwa first son, followed by prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko, followed by Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko, and Prince Ebiyemi Emiko. In selecting the candidate for the Olu, two criteria set down by Chiefs decided the fate of the nominees; One, the candidate must a university graduate. Second, the candidate must have some appreciable degree of Financial/material independence. As it were, Erejuwa II first son did not measure up on health ground. Ikenwoli and Yemi scored low by the criteria. Prince Godwin Emiko came top. But the process did not end there. The choice of Prince Godwin, now late Olu Atuwatse II, was subjected to further scrutiny by the oracle. At the end, the oracle affirmed the choice of Prince Godwin was offered. There was no controversy anymore. The Emiko ruling house and the larger Ejo descendant family as well as Itsekiri chiefs and the leaders know the details and facts of the emergence of Prince Godwin Emiko as Olu Atuwatse II. Why are members of the Emiko ruling house and some Itsekiri people now saying, campaigning that Ikenwoli was denied the Crown? It is pertinent to also mention that the fact that Ikenwoli is “Abiloye” does not confer on him or give him automatic right to the throne. An “Abiloye” may become king depending on other factors and variables, but it is not an automatic entitlement as far as Itsekiri tradition is concern. For anybody to therefore say that Ikenwoli was denied the Crown in the past is a baseless and unsubstantiated talk calculated to hoodwink undiscerning Itsekiri people and mislead them. We concerned Iwere Indigenes must not be misled on the basis of any parochial agenda. We, concerned Iwere Indigenes believe that if anyone is been denied and Crown, it is the sons of Atuwatse II. It is only when an Olu does not have any son or worthy son to succeed him, it is only a brother may succeed him. This is the Itsekiri Tradition. We must not deviate from it or twist it. Olu Atuwatse II had two sons who are eligible for consideration by the ruling house and should have primarily been considered before anyone else. With the demise of Atuwatse II, we believe The sons of Atuwatse II should be allowed to bury their father. Let no one deny them the right. The sons of Atuwatse II must not be suppressed or oppressed in any guise. We call on all Itsekiri to stand up for justice for them. Let truth and justice prevail. We wish to state that this publication is without prejudice to Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko or the Emiko ruling house. We only want Itsekiri people to think twice and deeply on the issues and facts we have stated. Long Live Iwere Kingdom. Long Live The Olu of Warri. Singed: CONCERNED IWERE INDIGINES |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by AfricaMagic(m): 11:39pm On Sep 25, 2015 |
This is what the ZOO has done to you. They've succeeded in dividing you. But only Biafra can save you and reunite you with your blood relatives only if you will stop listening to Yoruba media. |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by jaymichael(m): 12:06am On Sep 26, 2015 |
AfricaMagic:What are you saying? the itsekiri is 80%part Yoruba, 20% Benin. Their names are mostly Yoruba. If you understand Ijebu, Ilaje, Ikale or other Yoruba dialects spoken in Ondo state, you can understand Itsekiri (at least 80%) when they speak. Do you know that the can president is Itsekiri and his name is Yoruba AYODELE=Joy has reached home ORITSE-JA-FOR=God has given me (a voice ) to speak. Omawunmi, Oritsefemi, Mofe Damijo are Itsekiris that bear Yoruba names. Do you even know that the immediate past governor of Delta state Emmanuel Uduaghan is an Itsekiri man? The link between Itsekiri and biafra far like Lagos to Australia. 4 Likes 1 Share |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by AfricaMagic(m): 12:15am On Sep 26, 2015 |
jaymichael:Lies from the abominable damnation. How do you explain the Benin land cutting the Itsekiris from the rest of yorubaland. |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by jaymichael(m): 12:17am On Sep 26, 2015 |
AfricaMagic:Which past of my post is lie? My understanding of my Mother's Ijebu dialect enables me to understand ilaje and Itsekiri to a small extent but my mother who is fluent in Ijebu understands both Ilaje and Itsekiri very well. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itsekiri_language http://www.itsekiriculture.org/history.html http://www.punchng.com/opinion/itsekiri-and-yoruba-bond-a-historical-exploration/ https://www.nairaland.com/2252516/itsekiri-yoruba-mr-jprice http://ngr.ng/itsekiri-enlightenment/ 1 Like 1 Share |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by vicadex07(m): 2:10am On Sep 26, 2015 |
This is quite interesting. I have always wondered where that "OLU" of warri, an obviously Yoruba name came from. Thanks OP for this enlightenment. 2 Likes |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by Nobody: 2:18am On Sep 26, 2015 |
AfricaMagic: You your own no pass yoruba yoruba, even if we are talking about indomie, you will still bring yoruba into it. shey dem swear for una ni 1 Like |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by olajorn(m): 3:50am On Sep 26, 2015 |
AfricaMagic:do you take your time to read the article? If yes then your brain is too dull 1 Like |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by vicadex07(m): 12:02pm On Sep 26, 2015 |
olajorn: That's the default settings for all tanoid wailers. |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by Naija3am: 9:54am On Sep 27, 2015 |
Peculiarperson, this is a sacrilegious post you have made here. Obviously you are very ignorant of the Itsekiri tradition of selecting kings. Do not spread preemptive lies and falsehood about Itsekiri. You are obviously an outcast. You made us to believe that you saw this post and made it here. But we know that it's a lie. This is a previous post made by you even before the selection process. You are on your own. We will get you. We know who you are.
|
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by disumusa: 11:22am On Sep 27, 2015 |
jaymichael:bro, itsekiri people are pure and correct yorubas from oyo empire. They war to the place and establishe the kigdom as olu of warri. |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by disumusa: 11:37am On Sep 27, 2015 |
AfricaMagic:its you that did not understand that in old day people wage war and take over land and establish kigdom. 1) warri was concer by oyo mesi warrior i.e itsekiri instal olu of warri. 2) part of benin was concer and instal oba of benin, this present oba always have annual meeting with all sw obas 3) ogbaegbema in river state migrate to river from benin to instal oba kingdom. |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by AfricaMagic(m): 4:44pm On Sep 27, 2015 |
disumusa:Keep your bloody lies to yourself. No.3 is the bloodiest of all. Without proving how Ogba/Egbema migrated from the so called Benin, you went ahead to say that an Oba rules Ogba/Egbema. If I told this lie, I would have deactivated my account if another eye had seen it. Ezes have been ruling Ogba/Egbema from time immemorial, please don't goof this way when arguing again. |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by xmich(m): 5:22pm On Sep 27, 2015 |
, |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by perculiarperson: 9:32pm On Sep 29, 2015 |
Naija3am: Obviously you are the 'incast'. So please tell me what I missed out or did not know. Where are the preemptive lies and falsehood in the article Please point them out from your indepth knowledge of the traditions and culture of the Itsekiris. This article had not been published prior to the day it came out (you might need stronger spectacles...). If you are working with the fetish crew, you all are in for serious destruction very soon! You know me That's great! Why don't we meet up so you can let me in on all your ignominy. You speak as if you know so much yet, you write without a single statement of fact. Please don't speak when serious minded folks are speaking with facts... rather bring your historical facts on board; then you can have a say. And don't be in a hurry to respond; take some time to read the article and this response... use your medulla for a change... uhn... Thanks. |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by sammyj: 10:10pm On Sep 29, 2015 |
Ok |
Re: An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality By Concerned Iwere Indigenes by olucollins1010(m): 10:42pm On Feb 06, 2017 |
An Open Letter To The Itsekiri Ethnic
Nationality By Concerned Iwere
Indigenes
by perculiarperson : 11:36pm On Sep
25, 2015
My most beloved people of the Iwere
Kingdom, I greet you all.
I received this article today from
Concerned Iwere Indigenes stating their
position on the happenings and deceit
trailing the selection of the new Olu of
Warri...
However, a voice has arisen amongst the
Itsekiri people under the umbrella of the
Concerned Iwere Indigenes (CII.) to
contest and expose the plans of these evil
men! May it never work for these evil,
small minded men in Jesus' name - Amen!
OP please place on the home page. It is
of high importance and significance to a
sect of people in our nation Nigeria today.
(Psalm 2 : 1-2 Why do the heathen rage,
and the people imagine a vain thing?The
kings of the earth set themselves, and
the rulers take counsel together, against
the LORD, and against his anointed,
saying,)
For The Attention of Itsekiri Council of
Chiefs. Itsekiri Leaders of Thought,
Political Leaders, Opinion Leaders and
Itsekiri National Youth Council.
We, Concerned Iwere Indigenes, as keen
observers of the unfolding events in
Iwere Kingdom, believe it is pertinent we
should air our views on the development.
We believe sentiments and prejudice
have been allowed to prevail over rational
reasoning and judgement. The choice of
candidate by the Emiko ruling house for
the Itsekiri Crown is Prince Godfrey
Ikenwoli Emiko, Brother of Olu Atuwatse
II.
We gathered that in all the meetings and
deliberations by the Emiko ruling house
which threw up Ikenwoli as their choice
for the crown, the two sons of Atuwatse
II, Prince Tsola Emiko and Prince Toju
Emiko were never contacted or invited.
We however, heard that they were
belatedly called for after the name of
Prince Ikewonli had been presented to
the council and the two sons were told to
cooperate with the family in the interest
of peace to prevail in the family and
Iwere Kingdom. Being raised as peaceful
men and in the interest of peace over the
Iwere kingdom, they obliged.
The Principal reason for the Emiko ruling
house ruled out the two sons, we are
told, was because of the gazette
publication by the defunct Bendel State
Government in 1979 stating that a choice
olu can only be crowned if his mother is
Itsekiri or Bini. We also gathered that
another reason why they picked Prince
Ikenwoli as their choice is that they
believe he is the rightful person for the
throne.
How can it be argued and justified that if
one’s father is itsekiri, and the mother is
not Bini or Itsekiri, that the person is not
an Itsekiri? Was Olu Atuwatse II king over
the Itsekiri People? Are his sons Itsekiri?
Are all Itsekiri whose mothers are not
Bini or Itsekiri outcasts?
We know the Itsekiri as a people,
operates largely a patrilineal genealogy
“Otonolokere” Generally, community
heads, Olare-Ajas, in Iwereland are
installed irrespective of their maternal
pedigree. All Olus that have reigned in
Warri kingdom reigned irrespective of
their maternal pedigree. So in Itsekiri
history, we have Olus whose mothers
were not Binis or Itsekiri. We cannot
recall any time in the past where
matrilineal descent was used as a
criterion to discriminate against a
candidate for the Warri Crown. Also,
there is precedence in the lineage of Past
Olus that ascended the throne and
neither had Edo nor Itsekiri mothers. For
example, Prince Ginuwa left Benin
without being married, and he famously
married an Ijaw lady, Derumo. He
famously had two sons, Ijijen & Irame.
Who was the mother of these two sons of
Ginuwa? Also the son of Atuwatse I and
his Portugese wife, Olu Oyenakpagha
ruled as Olu without dispute. These can
be examples are recorded in history for
all to see.
In Itsekiri tradition and customs, it is the
Olu that is the law in matters concerning
the Itsekiri Nation, who can dispute it?
Any edict or publication by the state
government that did not have the
imprimatur or signature and seal of the
Olu in our opinion, is rather misleading
and cannot be said to be valid. The then
Ologbotsere who was responsible for
making the then Bendel State
government enact that gazette was not
an Olu. We are not aware of any
referendum that was conducted and a
consensus reached by the Itsekiri people
before the edict was issued?
Furthermore, may we ask, did the gazette
have the signature and seal of the Itsekiri
Council of Chiefs before it was taken to
state government to issue it? If so, where
is the proof of the minutes of
deliberations on which the chiefs took the
decision before forwarding it to the then
state government? We therefore appeal
to all Iwere sons and daughters to view
the gazette publication as arbitrary,
vacuous, utterly discriminatory, capricious,
vindictive, unfair, unjust and fragrant
negation as well as an outright violation of
Itsekiri tradition and custom.
Furthermore, the provision of the gazette
need not take into account Itsekiri-Yoruba
historical affinity and root with the
Yorubas as it is well known and
documented in history. Itsekiri ethnic
nationality is largely a Yoruba sub-tribe.
This is a statement of fact. The Yoruba
ethnic nationality acknowledge it as we
do. Whenever Itsekiri is mentioned, it
implicitly refers to a Yoruba sub-tribe.
That the gazette did not mention Yoruba
should be seen as an obvious
acknowledgement of the existing affinity
which long predates 1979 our Yoruba
ancestry cannot be denied us. We call on
all Itsekiri with Yoruba history to resist
this discrimination. The discrimination
against The sons of Atuwatse II is a
discrimination against all Itsekiri with
Yoruba root or history.
Further still, even when a government
gazette either by omission or commission
is in error about our history, should we
allow ourselves to be hamstringed or
gaged by such error? We should do the
right thing, and that is to give the gazette
the right interpretation with the facts of
our history. Yet further still, why should
we allow an "erroneous" gazette
publication make maternal descent a
discriminatory basis for ascension to the
Itsekiri throne to the total disregard of
the actual facts of our history? The Olu is
the final authority in Itsekiri matters,
period. The Good People of Iwere
Kingdom, this indeed is a pertinent
question we cannot afford to ignore.
Most importantly, Atuwatse II, as the Olu
of Warri, made a proclamation to the
itsekiri ethnic nationality in 2010 which
contained a number of reforms in Itsekiri
tradition, including the statement that any
candidate for the Itsekiri Crown, his
mother must be Itsekiri, Bini or Yoruba. It
was signed and sealed by the Olu himself.
The proclamation is law in Itsekiri
tradition. It was given the widest
publicity both in English and Itsekiri
Languages. It was published in national
newspapers. To the best of our
knowledge, no itsekiri person, man or
woman any voice or opinion of dissent
against the proclamation to this day.
Itsekiris always say, after God, it is the
Olu. The Olu has the final authority on all
matters succession. If we now say the
Olu’s 2010 proclamation is not law or
valid for the Itsekiri people because it
was not gazette by the state government,
it means that future itsekiri Kings will no
longer have any right or power to make
decisions or pronouncements regarding
Itsekiri tradition and norms. Anything
they want to say must always have the
backing of a government gazette. To the
best of our knowledge, we, Concerned
Iwere Indigenes are not aware of any
tribe that is doing that in Delta state or
Nigeria at large. The implication of this is
very grave and will sooner or later
turnaround to hunt and hurt and possibly
destroy whatever semblance of
community we have. We shall not be able
to escape it. Let no Itsekiri person make
any mistake about it. We believe this may
have been the reason why Olu Atuwatse
II did not see the need to seek a
government gazette to back his 2010
proclamation. As a trained lawyer, the
Olu was more thoughtful and wise about
his action than many people realize.
Most importantly, those who rejected
Atuwatse II proclamation in 2010, partly
or completely, risk committing a major
taboo in Itsekiri, as they imply that The
Olu is infact NOT Afomasin! All our
ancestors are watching us, and most
importantly, God Almighty is watching us.
Now, let us compare and contrast the
proclamation the Olu made in 2013, to
bring about some changes in certain
aspects of Itsekiri tradition. Itsekiri
people got wind of it and protested
against it. The Olu listened to the itsekiri
people and suspended the matter,
pending further wide consultations with
his people. This same protest did not
meet the 2010 proclamation and as such
widely accepted.
Now to the second issue: Is it indeed true
that Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko was
denied the crown in 1987? We,
Concerned Iwere Indigenes do not
believe so. Even if Prince Godfrey
Ikenwoli Emiko was truly Olu Erejuwa II
preference for the throne before his
demise, it must be made clear that that
alone was not sufficient to confer on him
an automatic ticket to become the Olu.
The installation of new Olu after the
demise of Erejuwa II followed the due
process of Itsekiri tradition. The ruling
house presented four names as their
choice to Itsekiri traditional council. The
name of Erejuwa first son, followed by
prince Godwin Toritseju Emiko, followed
by Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko, and
Prince Ebiyemi Emiko. In selecting the
candidate for the Olu, two criteria set
down by Chiefs decided the fate of the
nominees; One, the candidate must a
university graduate. Second, the
candidate must have some appreciable
degree of Financial/material
independence. As it were, Erejuwa II first
son did not measure up on health ground.
Ikenwoli and Yemi scored low by the
criteria. Prince Godwin Emiko came top.
But the process did not end there.
The choice of Prince Godwin, now late Olu
Atuwatse II, was subjected to further
scrutiny by the oracle. At the end, the
oracle affirmed the choice of Prince
Godwin was offered. There was no
controversy anymore. The Emiko ruling
house and the larger Ejo descendant
family as well as Itsekiri chiefs and the
leaders know the details and facts of the
emergence of Prince Godwin Emiko as Olu
Atuwatse II. Why are members of the
Emiko ruling house and some Itsekiri
people now saying, campaigning that
Ikenwoli was denied the Crown? It is
pertinent to also mention that the fact
that Ikenwoli is “Abiloye” does not confer
on him or give him automatic right to the
throne. An “Abiloye” may become king
depending on other factors and variables,
but it is not an automatic entitlement as
far as Itsekiri tradition is concern. For
anybody to therefore say that Ikenwoli
was denied the Crown in the past is a
baseless and unsubstantiated talk
calculated to hoodwink undiscerning
Itsekiri people and mislead them. We
concerned Iwere Indigenes must not be
misled on the basis of any parochial
agenda.
We, concerned Iwere Indigenes believe
that if anyone is been denied and Crown,
it is the sons of Atuwatse II. It is only
when an Olu does not have any son or
worthy son to succeed him, it is only a
brother may succeed him. This is the
Itsekiri Tradition. We must not deviate
from it or twist it. Olu Atuwatse II had
two sons who are eligible for
consideration by the ruling house and
should have primarily been considered
before anyone else. With the demise of
Atuwatse II, we believe The sons of
Atuwatse II should be allowed to bury
their father. Let no one deny them the
right. The sons of Atuwatse II must not
be suppressed or oppressed in any guise.
We call on all Itsekiri to stand up for
justice for them. Let truth and justice
prevail. We wish to state that this
publication is without prejudice to
Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko or the Emiko
ruling house. We only want Itsekiri people
to think twice and deeply on the issues
and facts we have stated.
Long Live Iwere Kingdom.
Long Live The Olu of Warri. |
(1) (Reply)
See The Picture That Is Trending On Nairaland / My Take On Anambra State Government After Comprehensive Tour Of The State / Efforts Being Made To Get Nnamdi Kanu Negotiate With Fg
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 102 |