Since Ibori got to Oghara, the hitherto quiet town has become the political mecca of the state as thousands of people, including politicians flung across different party divides have been sauntering into the mansion of the former governor.
In this piece, Joshua Erubami chronicles virtually all of the Governor's activities since on Saturday to Tuesday. Read on...
IT has been four good days since the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori returned to his hometown, Oghara, the administrative headquarters of Ethiope West Local Government Area of the State.
As it was expected of such a political big wig, the arrival of Ibori who has been away for about seven years met rousing applauds, celebration and cheering that has consistently sparked streaks of amazement in the minds of all observers, especially those who are not used to the political ground play that takes place in Delta State.
In fact, since news of Ibori’s release from the UK prisons filtered into the Nigerian border in just about 10 days to the end of last year, there has been palpable joy among the supporters of the former Governor, especially his kinsmen and political associates in the entire Niger Delta region
Apparently keeping to the verbal content of the interview he had granted a Reuter journalist in London on Tuesday January 31, to the effect that he would return home in matter of days, growing echoes of Ibori’s arrival in Abuja sauntered into different aspects of the state and, yes, that was how the Saturday, February 4 journey began.
The Expected Arrival and Siege at Osubi Airport
Not long before the rheum of sleep began to leave the eyes of men, it was learnt that an Abuja-bound flight which had toughed the runways of the Airport at the early hours of Saturday had Ibori and, at least, two of his kinsmen, Prince Charles Abutor and Emmanuel Ganiga on board of it. By arrangement, the former Governor and his entourage were to immediately leave Abuja for the Osubi Airstrip in Warri where scores of supporters had converged to honour and welcome him to the state.
Chief James Ibori acknowledging cheers from his supporters.
Others were the fromer DESOPADEC Secretary, Chiefs Andy Asawota, Patrick Five, Dennis Emonemu and Paul Abu as well as Hon. Solomon Golley, Mr. Solomon Kpomah, Chief Ejiafe Odebala and Prince Godwin Ediyerin, the respective local government Chairmen of Ethiope West, Udu, Sapele and Okpe.
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While the great wait continued, little was it imagined that Ibori would change his plans. Authorities at the Department of Secret Service (DSS), it was learnt, had invited the former governor for an emergency meeting with its Director-General, Lawal Daura, the fall out of which was the dire need for Ibori to change his voyage plans to the Osubi Airstrip.
He was now to board a Benin City bound flight from where he would breeze into the hitherto serene Oghara town that has now turned into a bustling and active area.
Big Surprise strikes supporters, kinsmen
When the tiny piece of information sauntered in that Ibori was no longer landing at the Osubi airport, the news was received with mixed feelings, with many wondering the rationale behind the sudden change. But could that deter supporters of Ibori? No way!
As though a whistle commencing a marathon race was blown, the throngs of supporters dashed out of the Osubi axis and, within minutes, arrived at the abode of the arriving political stalwart. In less than countable minutes, the Osubi airport was almost asleep and the already awoken Oghara town became much more alive as the hundreds of people who had gathered at the airstrip in Osubi was not even up to a third of the population seen striving to gain access into the house of the former governor in Oghara.
Some politicians at Chief Ibori's residence.
Alas! Ibori Arrives Oghara
Sources said Ibori, who was dressed in a dark ash long sleeve shirt, navy blue jean and black shoes, arrived Oghara at about 3:20 pm, but could not disembark from the black tinted Lexus Jeep that had whisked him into Oghara until about 3:45, giving him about 25 minutes to monster enough stamina that could accommodate the whirl screams and jubilations from the mammoth crowd that defied security encumbrances to catch a glimpse of his smiling face and waving hands.
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After waving at the crowd, Ibori meandered into his house alongside his associates that had come with him from the Benin Airport in seven black Prado Jeeps and five Hilux Vans. He was said to have immediately joined a brief prayer session led by a former State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Capt. Pius Sinebe, after which he recoiled into his inner room, got refreshed and treated with Banga soup and starch delicacies, alongside with the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Monday Igbuya.
Clandestine First Outing In Oghara
But before then, the former governor had, within three hours after his arrival, made his first outing in Oghara without the knowledge of the over 4,500 supporters that had stormed his premises. The Governor reportedly took the rear exit of his house to pay due homage to the traditional stool of the Oghara kingdom. Sources disclosed that the governor left for the palace in a convoy of five Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) at 6:40 pm.
He was also said to have met another surprising round of applauds at the palace where he presented drinks and kola nuts and requested royal blessings. At 8:00 pm, the governor exited the palace and returned to his mansion from where the celebration continued till the next day.
The Sunday “Mecca”
While the Saturday celebration was inestimable, the long held assumption that Oghara would reclaim its buried political status as the political “mecca” of Delta State and, indeed, the Niger Delta region lucidly played out on Sunday, the second day of Ibori’s stay in Oghara.
Chief James Ibori waving at his supporters at Oghara on Saturday.
While the first day could be likened to the day of ‘ordinary men’, same could not be said of Sunday which pulled big political stunts within and outside the Delta State, including Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan among others.
It was gathered that Governor Okowa stopped over at ibori’s residence at exactly 4:02 in the evening and proceeded into a-45 minute closed door meeting with his former bosses, Ibori and Uduaghan. The content of the meeting was not disclosed as neither Okowa, Uduaghan nor Ibori granted audience to the press.
See also HOW IBORI MOVED HIS KINSMEN TO TEARS
Besides, other prominent personalities like two former Deputy Governors of the state, Prof. Amos Utama and Chief Benjamin Elue as well as Chief Tom Amioku and Dr. Joseph Otumara also called by at Ibori’s residence.
Senator James Manager of Delta South and Senator Patrick Osakwe and a member of the Central Working Committee of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Prof. Gordini Darah and many legislators in the state also stormed Oghara to formally welcome Ibori, who is renowned for supporting calls for resource control in Nigeria.
More visits and throes of disappointments
The royal fathers of Oghara, Jesse and Mosogar kingdoms also registered their physical presence at Ibori’s abode, just as some law makers, including Prince Charles Oharisi, Samuel Mariere and Sheriff Oborewhori also besieged the premises of the former governor.
Unfortunately, the law makers who arrived 1:30 pm could not meet Ibori who had already stepped out before their arrival; making it the second outing he ever made after arriving Oghara last Saturday.
The Monday Echoes
On Monday, the third day of Ibori’s unity with his kinsmen, was more of a sweet flip-over of the preceding days, as ardent supporters of Ibori continued to saunter in. Despite being a working day, different public officers defied the day’s activities to pay the former governor a solidarity visit.
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A powerful delegation from Anambra State was led by the Senator representing Anambra North, Mr. Ben Obi who extolled the rare qualities of the former governor, describing him as a pillar of politics in the oil rich Niger Delta. Obi who had arrived the previous night wondered how the ex-governor managed to keep all of his friends, supporters and ally close to himself despite being away for about seven years.
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ethiope West, Hon.. Onome Ojo (Left) and the immediate past Commissioner for transport, Hon. Ben Igbakpa
The former Commissioner representing Ethiope West, Sapele and Okpe Local Government Areas on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Chief (Dr) Henry Ofa and erstwhile Transport Commissioner in the state, Hon. Ben Igbakpa were among those who visited Ibori on Monday.
Third Confirmed Outing
Nonetheless, unlike on the days before, sources close to Ibori said the former governor left his house on Monday night for an unknown destination and purpose. He was said to have not returned until the early hours of yesterday morning, apparently to receive more visitors.
Observations around the former governor’s premises yesterday showed that the place now have some calm as several changes have been made, making it relatively difficult for many people to gain access to the former governor’s abode.
More Disappointment As New Order Floats Around
Inside sources told our correspondent that a former aspirant for the Ethiope West Constituency in the State House Assembly, Chief Stanley Oboh, who once managed the protocols affairs of for the ex-governor, has been redeployed to being a special aide to him. Security sources also hinted that Ibori may be seeking more caution with new regulations guiding who should be allowed into the former governor’s lodge.
At 10:43 am yesterday, 20 pupils and 40 teachers from Ibori Primary School filed up and matched straight to the former governor’s house apparently to give their own rousing welcome and perhaps treat him with a match past session, but they became crest fallen after failed attempts to gain entry, as security officials detailed to secure the premises insisted on seeing their approved invitation letter. Media men who had hoped to gain entry were also disappointed.
Pupils and teachers of Ibori Primary School, Oghara.
At 11:54 am, some high profile chiefs from Uvwie Local government Area of the state also stormed the premises of the former governor in a convoy of 10 cars but could not meet the governor who sources claimed was “quite occupied”.
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Meanwhile, Delta State Deputy Governor, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro paid a visit to Ibori yesterday. Oturao arrived the premises of the governor at 2:58pm in a convoy of two Lexus Jeep and two Hilux jeeps. He immediately proceeded to discuss with Ibori and left around 3:50 pm.
Also, Mr. Tony Obuh, a retired Permanent Secretary who jostled for the PDP governorship ticket in 2015 was seen leaving Ibori’s house around 11:32 am, making him one of the first politicians to see the governor in the morning.
Chief James Ibori) Middle) and Mr. Tony Obuh (Right).
Also, a team of unnamed legal practitioners had stormed the premises at 11:07 and also left without spending much time inside the governor’s lodge. It could not be ascertained whether they met with Ibori.
At the time this report was filed, the Ibori had not gone out for the fourth time, just as his possibility of going out could not be verified.
As the governor continues to breath in more air of freedom in Oghara, there is no doubt that more people will continue to visit him, apparently for political solutions, counsel and, perhaps, much more reasons.
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