Olu of Warri Kingdom
Historically, the Itsekiri have a monarchy that is over 500 years old, which serves as a rallying point in their society and remains its supreme government. The Olu of Warri Kingdom is the paramount ruler of the Warri Kingdom. The Itsekiri credo is mini mini gbo; Igbo mini, meaning the people own the Olu as the Olu owns the people. From 1480 to now, there have reigned 21 Olu of Warri Kingdom: five Olus of the Christian era; 1480-1597: eight Roman Catholic Olus from 1597-1735 and eight Olus of the post-Roman Catholic Christian  era. Ogiame Atuwatse III is the present Olu of Warri Kingdom and the 21st Olu of Warri Kingdom to ascend the throne. He was crowned on the 21st of August, 2021 upon the demise of Ogiame Ikenwoli who reigned from 12th December 2015 to 21st December 2020. Ogiame Atuwatse III is the first son of Ogiame Atuwatse II who reigned between May 1987 to 2015. Kings of Warri Kingdom, 1480 to present. The Kingdom of Warri has remained predominantly Christian since the coronation of its first Christian King/Olu Atorongboye also known as King Sebastian I in 1570, within a  century of the foundation of the Iwere Kingdom. Below is a list of the rulers of the Warri Kingdom from inception. Note that written records began with the coronation of Olu Atorongboye Sebastian I in 1570.