By Egufe Yafugborhi

WARRI—The Igba of Warri, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has said that the late Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Atuwatse II  did no wrong to warrant his children asking for forgiveness from his subjects, as final funeral rites continue in his honour in Warri Kingdom.

Chief Lori-Ogbebor was reacting, yesterday, in Warri, Delta State to fallouts from Sunday’s tribute held by children of the late Olu during which they pleaded for forgiveness from anyone the departed monarch might have wronged during his reign, while also drumming up support for Prince Godfrey Emiko, who will be crowned as his successor on December 12.

Chief Lori-Ogbebor  said: “Obviously, the children are innocent and ignorant of the tradition. From the day he was crowned 28 years ago, Atuwatse II transformed from being just their father to being father of the entire Itsekiri nation.

“The Olu, as far as Warri Kingdom is concerned, has done no wrong. He might have stepped on toes during his reign as father to all, but no subject has come up with complaint. You can see that through the mourning period to the ongoing final funeral rites,  the kingdom has been peaceful and everyone is in good mood.

“The fact that Princess Nere Teriba, who spoke for the children, expressed her gratitude, on behalf of the monarch, mostly to politicians, most of whom we have complained about, shows that she was being misled by politicians seeking cheap relevance.

“We ask the Itsekiri nation to discountenance the children’s remarks and warn desperate politicians to desist from dragging the Warri Kingdom into their dirty politics under any guise.”