Until Ibori Returns

The recent release from a UK prison of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State over cases of money laundering and other related crimes, have placed the media world  awash with an unprecedented hype.  The release is being celebrated in many quarters, especially his kinsmen from Urhobo ethnic divide and many politicians who drank from his infested well of benevolence. To them, their leader and mentor have regained freedom from the gulag and that is what matters to them.

Times may not have been the best for the embattled former governor and the self-styled Odidigborigbo of Africa. He was just one of the unfortunate few Nigerian politicians who tried to impoverish his people but caught in the web, even though many still benefitted from it. He has borne the sins of many. As a governor, Chief James Ibori meant different things to many people. To the civil servants in Delta State, he remains the best governor the state ever had. The people of Oghara, till eternity, will prefer the death that will take the life of their illustrious son to take them in his stead. Their reasons for this may not be far-fetched. He singlehandedly transformed Oghara from an inglorious unknown enclave to one of the best and fast developed towns in Delta State. The Teaching Hospital he built there is enough reason for the entire town to kowtow and pay obeisance to Chief Ibori every morning after bowing to God. The health institution has not only put the town in public glare, but serves as the highest income and employment generating instrument to the people.

The polytechnic at Otefe-Oghara, the naval logistics base, the stadium and the Niger Delta University have also helped to magnify the cosmopolitan status of the once sleepy town. Chief Ibori, apart from facilitating all these and many more, he ensured they stand the test of time. Little wonder his people idolize him like a demi god. They exhibited this when youths facilitated his escape when he was almost arrested by the authorities.

Candidly, the name Chief James Onanefe Ibori remain synonymous  with Delta State politics, hence the insinuation that he made governors, senators, house members, party chairmen, etc from the prison, is evidently manifested in the political structure in the state today. Indeed, most big masquerades controlling the political waves are apostles of Ibori political school. I am not surprised with the avalanche of big political crooners that beseeched London to celebrate his release from prison.

Now, many questions are building in the air on the many ‘ifs’ that will follow the release of Chief James Ibori. One of his political sons and immediate successor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan have fired a warning salvo that the continuous celebration of Chief Ibori in London may put him into more trouble than envisaged. Information from the grapevine has it that this may not be unconnected with a long lost love with his mentor and political godfather. As a result, alongside his wife, he was prevented from seeing Chief James Ibori at his London residence. More facts emerged that Dr. Uduaghan’s sins are many. One of them being that when his boss was in prison, he was busy frolicking with his many concubines, a sin Chief Ibori finds hard to forgive.

Meanwhile, the veracity of this allegation is yet to be substantiated because insinuations were rife that every month, part of the monthly allocation meant for Delta State were used to service Chief Ibori while in prison. Quite recently, the evidences began to unravel with the revelation that a whooping N250 million was sent to Chief Ibori in prison. There seem to be something fishy in the entire development. First, could it be true Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan actually frolicked with his mentor’s concubines and yet be servicing him in the prison as if nothing was happening? Secondly, could it be that  Dr. Uduaghan would be such an ingrate to the man that made him? Was this the actual reason he was sent back and denied from seeing him? Many hanging questions that really need an answer.

Many Nigerian who are watching the celebration of the release of Chief James Ibori, vehemently condemned the crass glorifying of criminality in our system by a group of politicians. They are disappointed that the average Nigerian would openly glorify someone that is convicted of political crimes, even in the middle of a period that the anti-corruption crusade of President Mohammadu Buhari is wielding serious hammer on would-be scapegoats.  Without mincing words, it is not unlikely that the many politicians who are thronging the Ibori’s London residence to felicitate with him are not doing so because they so much love him. But because of the possible gains they intend to get from the political dynasty Chief Ibori has built overtime and what he represents in Delta State. They are all hiding under the political umbrella that Ibori’s name have institutionalized.

Political calculations are already strumming the possibilities of embracing the ruling party at the centre – APC by Chief Ibori. This, they are insinuating would fast track his total freedom should he be arrested by EFCC on return to Nigeria because the party may need his political weight to claim the oil rich Delta State in 2019 general election. Meanwhile, the possibilities remain visionary permutations if only President Mohammadu Buhari would give in to such aberrations.

So, 2019 is now a political Rubicon that many politicians need the might of Chief James Ibori to cross. It is unfortunate how the once cherished romance that existed between the two cousins has been tainted and sacrificed at the altar of personal avarice and fleshly lusts. Can the love ever be restored again? Well, in politics, the popular mantra has proven overtime that there is no permanent friend or enemy, but permanent interest. The saying holds sway especially in an environment that wields serious interests like ours. Let us therefore watch as the full drama unfolds. However, it is glaringly clear that not all that laughs with you are your friends.

Until Chief James Ibori returns to Nigeria, then the fate of 2019 political jostlers will be decided. Will he be lured into APC to prevent his possible arrest and his charges downplayed? Or can he stick to help rebuild the wobbling foundation of PDP, a party he was one of the founding fathers? Time will tell.

I am just jonesing with my pen.

-        PNI