Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II bows to pressure; ...reverts to ‘Ogiame’ title
His return to the status quo ante ended the four-day siege to his palace, which began last Saturday.
Ogiame Atuwatse II, who repented for the name and title of ‘Ogiame’, which he and his ancestors bore over the years, because “it connotes our allegiance to Umalokun and other deities of the sea, which are false gods,” confirmed the repudiation when he stood in front of his palace at about 12.40 pm, acknowledging cheers and the traditional salutation of Ogiame from his overjoyed subjects.
Meanwhile, the Itsekiri people and the chiefs had pledged their unalloyed loyalty to their king for “toeing the part of honour by deciding not to renounce his title.”
The early morning protest by thousands of men, women and youths of Itsekiri stock against the Olu of Warri’s decision to renounce his Ogiame traditional title forced the monarch to change his mind.
Reports said the protesters defied the early morning rain and marched through the streets, insisting that the monarch could not renounce his Ogiame traditional title which he chose when he was crowned the Olu of Warri in the 80s because of his new found Christian faith.
On September 4, the Olu of Warri had renounced the Ogiame (King of all Water gods and goddesses) title on the grounds that it was not in consonance with his Christian faith.
The people however insisted that the traditional ruler must abdicated the throne if he renounce the Ogiame title.
READ:
- Massive protest against Olu of Warri for denouncing his “Ogiame” traditional title and paganism
- Itsekiri leaders asks Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse II to annul his new edict or abdicate the throne
voice of the people prevails at last
ReplyDeleteThe poor king was abandoned in his quest to do what he believed in. Question is - why not abdicate and stick to your guns?
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