Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the Odidi-gbo-igbo of Africa. |
By Oghenero J. Eghweree
August 4, every year is an occasion to celebrate Chief Ibori, the ODIDIGBOIGBO OF AFRICA, who is today celebrating his 62nd year on mother earth. Sixty two years of making meaningful impact on the lives of people from across the length and breadth of the three senatorial districts of Delta State, and of course the South-South region and Nigeria at large. And it is expected that many including the low and mighty in society would join in celebrating the popular ex-governor on this special day.
The James Ibori phenomenon brings to mind the question: what is
behind the ever increasing popularity of the Chief from Oghara? Why is he so
celebrated, even after all these years of leaving office, many may wonder?
Again, what makes the politician with nine lives tick, others have continued to
ponder?
While some are of the opinion that Odidigboigbo was fortunate to have been born with a silver spoon
thus, he was able to attend prestigious schools and lived in the best places.
Where they supposed he leveraged on his good fortune to meet with the crème de
la crème in Nigeria society and abroad. Others are of the view that Chief James
Ibori used this privilege to travel the length and breadth of the universe
hence, his vast, almost divine understanding of people and how to manage them.
Yet, another group attributed his acceptability to the likable nature of the
inhabitants along the shores of the famous River Ethiope. The people known to
be their brother’s keeper, and naturally daring.
Moreover, the reason people love James Ibori could be deduced
from certain obvious traits in the life and career of the political juggernaut
from Oghara kingdom. They include among others; his tenacity never to give up
even in the murkiest of waters. His doggedness in ensuring fairness and an
orderly political climate in Delta State, even though there were times when he
had the option of easy choices. And above all, his uncanny faith and love for
his people.
The last point was perhaps the motivating factor why the young
and affluent Ibori in the 90s would volunteer to devote his life to the service
of his people. James Onanefe Ibori went on to join politics under the National
Republican Party, NRC and was even nominated in 1991 to vie for the Federal
House of Representatives seat to represent Ethiope Federal Constituency, but
lost that election. Thus began his sojourn in the arena of politics; a journey
that would bring the fledgling politician fame and pain.
Undaunted by his earlier defeat in politics, James Ibori later
joined forces with other eminent Deltans to become one of the founding members
of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). It was on this platform that he would
emerge as governor of Delta State on January 9, 1999 and was reelected for
another four-year-term in 2003.
It would be recalled that Chief James Onanefe Ibori's time in
office was characterized by massive developmental strides achieved by his
administration which featured all the major players in Delta State politics
today, including all the governors after him till date. In fact, the
charismatic Oghara Chief was able to use his unparalleled leadership qualities
to set up an unequalled political system in the state premised on the bases of
the zoning system of the PDP, and oiled by good faith among the various leaders
in the three senatorial districts of Delta State. Undeniably, the formula has
resulted in the smooth transition of power from one senatorial district of the
state to another since the advent of democracy in 1999.
Besides the setting up of a solid party structure, the
administration of Chief James Ibori was also able to restore peace among the
Ijaw and Itsekiri warring communities that lead to the return of socio-economic
development in those areas. Certainly, Delta State was one of the most peaceful
states in the nation during his time in office, which was hardly the case prior
to the advent of democracy in 1999.
Chief Ibori was also a major champion of resource control and he
made immense contributions towards the struggle. The ex-governor traveled the
length and breadth of the federation for consultative meetings. He even spoke
in seminars and issued publications in the national dailies and other media
outlets where he called for a better living condition for people in the oil
producing region. After all, his voice alongside those of other eminent sons
and daughters of the Niger Delta was instrumental in achieving 13 per cent
derivation for oil producing communities in the zone. James Ibori was even
alleged to be a key mediator between the federal government of Nigeria and the
fighters in the creeks of the Niger Delta region during the height of the
struggle for resource control. This made him an asset not only to the then PDP
government, but he was also one of the most influential politicians in the
country during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Ya'Adua.
Another landmark achievement of the Ibori administration was the
construction of the strategic Bomadi Bridge. This was a project that would
never be forgotten by the people from Bomadi axis, as the bridge offered the
Ijaws from that part of the state the possibility of vehicular movement to
their communities for the first time in history! Nor, how could the Asaba
people forget the man who began the process of making the territory a befitting
capital city, with the conception of the Asaba Airport and building of the
magnificent Commissioners quarters to house members of the state executive.
Plus other projects executed by the Ibori government too numerous to mention in
one piece.
Surely, many would still remember the sprouting up of stadiums
and institutions of higher learning, across the three senatorial districts of
the state during his two term as governor. Also, the road projects were
massive! Together with the launching of Delta State University Teaching
Hospital Oghara, which has become the medical mecca in the region.
Regrettably, the death of President Umaru Musa Yah'Adua would
prove a turning point in the life of the promising politician, and Governor
James Ibori would end up facing series of persecutions culminating in his
sabbatical to the UK from April 2012 to December 2016.
Nonetheless Chief James Onanefe Ibori has remained the people’s man even after all the trials and tribulations. Indeed, a mammoth crowd celebrated with wild cheers and powder-pouring following his return to Nigeria in 2016. In fact, on the day of his arrival into the country, both the Osubi Airport in Warri and the airport in Benin City were overtaken by thousands of his supporters who were not sure where the plane conveying their leader would touch down.
· * THIS PIECE WAS WRITTEN IN 2018. IT IS RELEVANT TO CELEBRATE
IBORI TODAY, NEXT YEAR, AND FOREVER!
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