The deposed Ologbotsere of Warri Kingdom, Chief Ayiri Emami, has alleged threats to his life by unnamed personalities and so-called ’failed politicians and community leaders’ in the kingdom.
Emami, a stalwart and prominent member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta state, warned, in a viral online video that he was prepared to meet his traducers with ‘fire for fire’.
In the post rendered in pidgin English, Emami said: “Thank God they couldn’t kill me. I have been subjected to tribal and cyberbullying by those who want people to ‘follow the law’ while breaking their basic laws.”
He attributed his latest ordeal to ‘speaking the truth” and lambasted his opponents including ‘unnamed men of God.
Confirming the authenticity of the video in a telephone chat with our reporter, Emami said he has become the subject of attack by Itsekiri leaders seeking relevance in the affairs of the ethnic group.
He said: “Anybody seeking self-relevance, including community, political and religious leaders are dropping my name everywhere. The Kingdom is being divided and they think they can achieve their aim by plan to assassinate me. Even men of God, excluding Pastor Oritsejafor and a few others, are jumping on the bandwagon.”
Speaking further in the video posted on social networking site TikTok, he said: “I thank God that we survived the attack through the support of some gallant youths and elders who stood by the truth. But this year, it is going to be fire for fire”
It would be recalled that the Itsekiri-born businessman had been locking horns with some Itsekiri leaders, including the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, whose emergence as Olu he opposed.
Atuwatse III has since disrobed Emami as Ologbotsere and replaced him with Chief Oma Eyewuoma, a move Emami challenged.