The Itsekiri Traditional Council has named a new Olu designate after its formally announced the demise of HRM Ogiame Atuwatse II who died inside a Lagos hospital on September 4, 2015.
The new Olu-designate is Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko, younger brother of Ogiame Atuwatse II.
The unveiling of new Olu of Warri Kingdom in Delta state came amid controversy over the succession process.
The Itsekiri National Council at a ceremony in Ode-Itsekiri, Saturday performed by the oldest member of the Olu Advisory Council, Chief Tesigiweno Yahya Pessu named Prince Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko against the earlier expectations that the son of the late Olu, Prince Tsola Emiko would succeed his father.
Prince Tsola Emiko, son of late monarch was reportedly disqualified on the ground of his maternal lineage as his mother is not from the two tribes that can be the mother of Olu. Only princes born of Itsekiri or Edo mothers are qualified, according to Itsekiri's traditional.
The new Olu of Warri designate, Prince Ikenwoli Emiko, born March 19, 1965 was said to be the original choice of his father, the late Erejuwa II to succeed him when the late Ogiame Atuwatse II was controversially crowned 28 years ago.
Dependable sources said that the Itsekiri Traditional Ancestry had insisted on Prince Ikenwoli Emiko to ascend the throne of the Olu of Warri in order for the Kingdom to experience the much needed peace, unity and development.
Although, source said that the son of the late Olu, Prince Tsola Emiko have been under intense pressure to challenge the decision of the Itsekiri kingmakers, the Itsekiri source said that the naming of the late Olu's younger sibling was the right thing to do 28 years ago.
This is the first time a brother was taking over from a brother in a monarchy that's purely hereditary.
The new Olu, is a graduate of University of Benin. He studied Business Administration. He's in his early sixties (60s) and married with several children.
Notwithstanding the controversial issues surrounding the naming of the new Olu of Warri, the unveiling ceremony sparked wild jubilation at Ode-Itsekiri (Big Warri) in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State.
Sources said that prominent Traditional Chiefs of Warri Kingdom, including Chief Yaya Pessu and Chief Isaac Jemide were part of the team that consulted with the ancestors in the choice of the new monarch designate.
Pessu also performed the traditional breaking of the calabash, a symbolic age-long tradition confirming the death of their king.
Chief Pessu, who is the Chief Priest and most senior chief in Itsekiri nation, pronounced the dead of the monarch at exactly 11:50 with firing of canons in the presence of palace chiefs and notable Itsekiri indigenes.
A total of 17 canons were shot into the air to traditionally announced the death of Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II.
At about 12:16, the Olu designate, also refers to Om' Oba, was presented to the Itsekiri Nation by the Chief Priest. The announcement was greeted with great jubilation from the people.
The Olu-designate would be crowned at a formal ceremony to be held at a later date.
Meanwhile, a 90-day mourning period from Saturday September 19 has been declared in Itsekiri land, signifying the formal announcement of the demise of former monarch.
Within the period, there shall be no burial or marriage ceremonies, while all men and women of Itsekiri extraction are expected to tie their rapper upside down to pay last respect to the late Ogiame Atuwatse II.
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