After a protracted battle, the Olu of Warri,
Ogiame Atuwatse II, has denied his Christian faith, thereby retaining his
“Ogiame” traditional title.
Despite an early Tuesday morning downpour in
Warri, thousands of men, women and youth of Itsekiri stormed the streets in
protest against the Monarch’s new-found Christian faith, compelling him to
renounce his faith, and to retain his title.
The Monarch had on 4 September renounced the
title on the ground that he had found a new life in Christianity and was born again;
an action his people said was against their tradition.
The Itsekiri elders under the aegis of
Itsekiri Elders and Leaders of Thought, after several hours of deliberations
and consultations on Monday, had given the Olu of Warri 48 hours to rescind his
declaration or abdicate the throne.