IBORI’S RELEASE: POLITICAL ASSOCIATES, KINSMEN SPEAK

As the news of Chief James Ibori’s regained freedom broke through the walls of a United Kingdom based court into the keenly listening ears of Deltans, political leaders in Delta State, especially Ibori’s political associates and kinsmen in Oghara have continued to express unparallel joy, bliss and ecstasy for the final release of the former Governor.

All the political stalwarts who spoke on the development in telephone chats with our correspondent today, described Ibori’s release as a long awaited news of victory that had consistently remained in the minds of the old and young alike, noting that there is no road too long to have an end.

Those who spoke included Ibori’s close confidant and former Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, Chief Ighoyota Amori; immediate past Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Ben Igbakpa; erstwhile Commissioner representing Ethiope West, Okpe and Sapele Local Government Areas on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Dr Henry Ofa; and the National Publicity Secretary of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU), Olorogun Duncan Ewhere.

See EX-POLICE BOSS SPITS FIRE ON BUHARI

Others were the incumbent Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Hon. John Nani; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the State, Hon. Moses Ojo and immediate past state Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Collins Ogbe.

In a text message response sent from London, Amori said: “On Ibori’s release today (yesterday), it is celebration everywhere in Oghara, Mosogar, Jesse, the whole Urhobo land, Delta State and Nigeria. Nigerians in UK and all over the world are, at this moment, celebrating the hero of our time, the resource control guru and the liberator of the oppressed who paid the supreme price for the sake of his people.

See WHY NIGERIANS ARE STILL BENT ON MMM

“Our joy knows no bound as Deltans and Nigerians and, in fact, the entire Urhobo nation await his triumphant return to his father land. Like Mandela, Awolowo, Obasanjo and many others of his type, Ibori remains our hero”.

According to Igbakpa, Ibori has gone through the tortuous process of the legal sanction meted on him, noting that his release has become a cheery news to which many, including the political class in the state, had eagerly looked forward.

The former Commissioner, who expressed a visible joy over the release, observed that the ex-Governor’s freedom will, again, allow him to be reunited with his family, friends and well wishers, thanking God for keeping him safe throughout the thick and thin of the UK prisons.

On his part, Ofa appreciated God for keeping the "political gladiator" safe throughout the period of the legal battle, disclosing that the entire Oghara community and the Urhobo nation are proud of him and cannot wait to see him return to continue the good works that he is reputable for in the state and beyond.

Also read OKOWA PERFECTS PLANS TO DEAL WITH OVER 2,000 DELTANS

Speaking on the same stretch, Ewhere averred that the release has triggered songs of celebration in the heart of as many friends and well wishers of the Governor, whose developmental strides have remained unequalled despite leaving office about nine years ago.

On whether Ibori’s home coming will engender a change in the political landscape of the state, Ewhere said changes will be inevitable “because the mover and shaper of politics” in the state has returned.

In the same vein, Ojo called on all party faithful as well as aggrieved members to join the train of celebration which, he said, is already on the move. This was just as Ogbe expressed optimism that the home coming of Ibori will place Oghara, Delta and the Urhobo nation in the political limelight of the country.

The author, JOSHUA ERUBAMI, could be reached via Erubami26@gmail.com