New chapter in Delta politics as Ibori returns

Former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, is no longer in a UK prison. He is in the arms of his wives and family members in his country home at Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. In this report, EBENEZER ADUROKIYA pictures emerging scenerio.

A lot has been said about the triumphant return of the former governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori to the state weeks ago. No matter the wing the commentators stand, one undeniable fact remains that the political landscape in Delta is about to experience some impetus on the return of the man fondly called Odidigboigboi. Others would say that the nature of political changes would not be restricted to Delta State; only that Delta would be the primary contact. The groundswell on his return is also saying nothing to dispute such beliefs.

The conviction that a new chapter is about to unveil in the politics of oil-rich Delta State has surely been reinforced by the widespread celebrations that greeted the return of the lion of Delta politics, Chief James Onanefe Ibori from a United Kingdom prison where he had served a 13-year term, which ran concurrently for about five years, over convictions for money laundering and self-enrichment.

James Onanefe Ibori in the eyes of his kinsmen

Ibori is seen in different lights by different forces across Delta State, the South South and the country at large. To many outside his state of origin, the former governor is seen as an unrepentant scoundrel! But his folks won’t take any of such! He is seen and known as a good man; generous, kindhearted, courageous and progressive at heart. He is also seen as a man of the people, something that manifested during the welcome ceremony.

In the early days, the Warri boy had dreamt that he would become governor one day. He was quoted to have once told a journalist at Bendel Estate in Warri about his governorship ambition thus: “I am still young; I believe I will be governor one day if I don’t die.”

Ibori did not die and the dream materialised on May 29, 1999, when he was sworn in as governor. He completed his two terms of eight years in 2007.

You get a clear glimpse of how Ibori’s people see him in the booklet produced for his thanksgiving service, which was organised by the Oghara Traditional Council and well-wishers. The booklet said “What defines Ibori is his courage.” The courage, according to the writer, explains his ability to lead the Niger Delta in the call for fiscal federalism in order to attain resource control. This was said to have yielded the implementation of the 13 per cent derivation principle being enjoyed by oil-producing states in the region today.

The booklet further describes Ibori as an enigmatic leader adding:

“Ibori, when he pleases and when the stakes are high enough and the die is cast, defies all competition. He gives battle like Achilles on the fields of Troy, hazarding himself for others’ benefits.

“The result is that this man, who appears to cherish challenges, has surpassed his contemporaries. Yet, he is not just human, but very humane; soft even in handling his close aides, rarely sacking any; often offended yet very unwilling to hurt and easy to forgive those who have harmed him, winning people over and building them up instead of striking them down. All that have known him closely agree that charity is his greatest virtue.”

Chief Ibori is reputed as the indisputable benefactor of governors, senators, ministers and speakers as well as other political gladiators that took office after him. Besides, most landmark infrastructural projects that cut across the entire nooks and crannies of the state are attributable to him. From Oghara to Warri, Agbor to Asaba, Burutu to Bomadi, Okirika to Ayakoromo, Omadino to Okerenkoko among others, the name Ibori, easily rings a bell. No wonder immediately after the announcement of his release last December 21, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, representing Delta North Senatorial District, who was one of the earliest visitors to Ibori in London retorted that the man, even in prison made governors, senate presidents, speakers and occupiers of other top political echelons in the country.

To many Deltans who are abreast with the political arithmetic and equations in the state, Ibori is the final decider of who gets what.

While still cooling off in the UK prison during the 2015 general election, he was rumoured to have singularly decided who clinched what and what positions. Political pundits in the state reiterated that from immediate past Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who is his cousin, to the present Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other occupiers of elective and political positions in the state and at federal level under the PDP, all credits are attributable to the Odidigboigboi of Niger Delta. As a matter of fact, Ibori was listed among the only two quintessential personalities in Delta State. Chairman, South South arm of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop God-Do-Well Awomakpa, during his homily at Ibori’s thanksgiving service at First Baptist Church on February 12, ranked Ibori with late Governor Felix Ibru, describing the former as a light that must be jealously shielded and protected by his family and kinsmen.

Ibori and the future of Delta politics

Since Chief Ibori’s return on February 4 to his country home, Oghara, the question on the lips of his followers and political admirers, who cut across every nook and cranny of the state, is “what next for the Odidigboigboi?” As a pioneering chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and acclaimed generalissimo of what is now known as the Ibori Political Dynasty, his supporters are waiting with bated breath on the next move of their leader. Chief Henry Ofa, one of his dogged and loyal followers, when asked what his master’s plan were politically, simply said: “So many things will change politically in Delta State. We’ll wait for his directive. Anywhere he goes, we’ll follow. He’s a good leader.”

There are fears in many quarters that the man of the moment might call it quits with the PDP – the party that made him twice a governor of the state. But the coast so far appears unclear for prognosis. Many are of the opinion that one of the reasons that may inform his likely defection is to find protection against further possible prosecution over pending corruption allegations. But Chief Ofa ruled out the possibility of Ibori’s likely defection from the PDP. The former Commissioner, who represented Ethiope East, Okpe and Sapele, local government areas on the board of the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), would not subscribe to the likelihood of a defection.

According to him, “He won’t defect to APC. He believes in ideology, not bandwagon effects. However, we’ll wait for his mind. But we don’t think that will be his agenda.”

Fiery activist and a man regarded as the nightmare of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Chief Frank Kokori, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is not worried if Ibori join forces with the ruling party, noting that after all, corrupt politicians also constitute the party.

Kokori, an erstwhile scribe of the National Union of Petroleum Employees and Gas Workers (NUPENG),  said in a chat that Ibori is welcome to any party including the APC but added: “He’s welcome to any party even the APC. Am I the owner of APC? Is APC not corrupt? Don’t we have corrupt people in APC? Most of them, are they not from PDP? How many corruption issues has APC resolved? Any party he joins does not matter.”

Interestingly, the mammoth crowd that welcomed Chief Ibori back home on February 4 and during his thanksgiving service at First Baptist Church, Ogharafe on February 12 are testimonies to his political reach and influence. Many attributed the outpouring of love to the former Governor to his sagacity and magnanimity, which they said dwarfed any other sentiment, primordial, political or ethnic. The tumultuous, heroic welcome accorded Ibori on his return is a testament to his wide acceptance and endorsement by all and sundry across political divides as the political generalissimo of the state.

Another of Ibori’s core loyalists and political associate, Chief Ighoyota Amori, lent his voice to the unifying role and headship of the political family by Ibori. Amori, who was ousted as Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District by the Court of Appeal and replaced with Chief Ovie Omo-Agege of the Labour Party (LP) said:

“we are very happy that our leader is here with us. We missed him. Now that he is back, Delta politics shall be redefined for the good of Deltans.”

A Delta State House of Assembly member and loyalist of Chief Ibori, Mr. Evans Ivwurie, also said that at any given time in the politics of the state, Ibori’s consent must be sought in the political scheme of things whether he is in the country or outside the country. He added that Ibori has his political tentacles across the entire country which would be put into use when the time comes.

Meanwhile, political observers are of the opinion that Ibori’s body language may suggest he would defect to the ruling APC. This, they conclude, will put paid to another round of prosecution from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). This was somewhat evident during a visit to his house at Oghara by some top Itsekiri political Turks from both the PDP and APC, The delegation from the three Warri local government areas of the state was led by a member of Delta APC Leaders Council and Akulagba of Warri kingdom, Chief Ayirimi Emami; immediate past Executive Director of Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prince Yemi Emiko, Mr. Tuoyo Omatsuli and others.

Feelers had it that the politicians from the Itsekiri nation, who have always had running battles with the current leadership of the APC in the state, had a closed door meeting with Chief Ibori and certain issues as regards the future political direction of Delta State were deliberated on. This is besides series of other nocturnal meetings allegedly being held where Ibori, if he succumbs to pressure to defect to APC, may likely emerge the leader who is expected to stabilise and increase the fortunes of the party in the state.

As the political atmosphere of the state hots up amid the possible realignments ahead 2019 in the state, it was gathered that the current leadership of the APC in the state may soon pay a solidarity visit to Ibori in order to convince him to join the APC train. As supporters await the next direction, who gets the favor of the Odidigboigboi between his party, PDP and the wobbling APC in the state lies in the hands of time.

Likely obstacles to Ibori’s lordship

Although Ibori still enjoying heroic welcome after his release from prison from his supporters and non-supporters alike, some observers noted that his superintendence over the political landscape in the state might have suffered some level of setbacks.

According to these observers, new political forces, no matter how weak they appear have emerged, while some still hold allegiance to Ibori.

The question that got thrown up is this: would Ibori suffer the fate that befell Okonkwo in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart after his return from Whiteman’s gulag? Has nothing really changed in the political atmosphere of the state in the past five years?

One source of strength that stands in favour of Ibori right now is believed to be the individuals he had empowered financially while in power as governor.  With no prejudice to ethnic affiliation, Ibori nurtured and brought to the limelight many lieutenants like the Itsekiri youth and business mogul, Chief Ayirimi Emami, Senator Omo-Agege, currently representing Delta Central, Chief Amori, Chief Ofa, Senator Nwaoboshi, former and present Speakers of Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei and current Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya, former Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Mr. Ben Ibakpa, among others. Many of Ibori’s political children as they can be called have in turn fathered grandsons and granddaughters, who still hold allegiance to the godfather. In other words, the present crop of political office holders in the state, either by appointments or elections, are direct or indirect products of the Ibori political dynasty.

To buttress this point, the number and calibre of personalities that had flocked and are still flocking to Ibori’s home since his arrival from prison ordeal is not only of great magnitude, but unprecedented. The list is endless: From former Governor Uduaghan to the incumbent, Dr. Okowa, and royal fathers from all over the state and region.

But then some people still see the prison ordeal as an albatross for the former Governor. Those who hold this view believe that the ordeal might stand as a cog in the wheel of his political progress. Infuriated by the massive celebration that greeted the release and eventual return of the former governor, fiery Warri-based lawyer and activists, Oghenejabor Ikimi, noted that Ibori still has a case to answer over the alleged $15 million bribe he allegedly offered the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) AIG Nuhu Ribadu (Rtd).

Ibori’s niche as political rallying point

Some political pundits have concluded that one major reason Urhobos could not speak with one voice thereby losing out in the PDP primaries that threw up Okowa from Delta North was largely due to the absence of Ibori as the rallying point. Some other political watchers, however, opined that the game would have still gone in favour of Okowa and Delta North given Ibori’s unbiased disposition to the arrangement because of his strong belief in fairness, equity and aversion to ethnic bigotry.

That however did not stop insinuations in some quarters on Ibori’s return which indicate that Governor Okowa’s camp might have been ruffled by Ibori’s return as a result of the perceived implications to his political future. Okowa, an experienced hand in Delta politics is also aware of Ibori as a major game changer. The Governor is aware of the implications of the godfather’s defection to the opposition party in the state. Ibori’s defection to APC, it is believed, could simply spell doom for Okowa’s second term ambition except he joins the train if Ibori defects. Standing on the other opposing end to square it up with his benefactor, pundits believe, could spell doom for Okowa and his coveted 2019 ambition. In preparation for any eventuality, a quarterly media chat was hurriedly arranged in Asaba. It was believed that the parley was meant to appease the media which had hitherto been distanced from the governor, having accused the governor of being media-unfriendly.

But reacting to a question posed to him during the media chat in Asaba last week, bordering on probable Ibori’s defection to APC, Okowa simply said he was not aware of Ibori’s intention to abandon PDP for APC. He said he believed the former governor would rather concentrate on reuniting and bonding with his family members, adding: “I’m not sure his primary concern now is politics.”

Before Ibori’s arrival from prison, some sort of political realignment had been ongoing. For instance, the inimitable leader of the opposition in Delta politics since 2003, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, having lost the governorship election under the Labour Party (LP) in 2015, has since joined forces with APC with Chief O’tega Emerhor, his APC governorship counterpart, as leader of the party in the state. The Senator representing Delta Central, Omo-Agege, a former protégé of Ibori, who rode on Ogboru’s political wing to clinch the seat via court ruling, has remained undecided on whether to follow suit with Ogboru/APC or not. But associates said the Senator’s eventual defection was a matter of time as he is already hobnobbing with the APC top guns.

Some see Ogboru’s penchant for purity as in sharp contrast to what is believed to be Ibori’s tar of moral decadence.  They thus raise issues whether these birds of different feathers can flock together within the same political bowl. Can the People’s General, as Ogboru is fondly called, work with the Odidigboigboi of Delta politics? The answer to that remains as well in the belly of time.

Beyond Delta State, the fear that Ibori may join forces with APC is rife. Unsubstantiated report said Senator Bola Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State and national leader of the APC, was instrumental to providing the aircraft that flew Ibori from Abuja to Benin when he arrived from London on Saturday February 4.

Why Ibori must watch his back

Some other pundits in the state have, however, advised the returnee Ibori to, in his own interest, lie low in order not to be used by hawks for their selfish interest ahead of 2019. In fact, a chieftain of APC, Chief Kokori, said Ibori should have learnt his lesson and be wiser now.

“He (Ibori) must have learnt his lessons. It’s only a fool that goes to the prison, spend some years and comes back the same person. He now knows that life is vanity. I believe he’ll now be a good man,” the septuagenarian averred.

A public commentator and National Coordinator, Niger Delta Peace Coalition (NDPC), Mr. Zik Gbemre, advised the former governor to drop the sobriquet  “Odidigboigboi” and maintain a very low profile.

Gbemre asked him to do away with sycophants  and praise singers who have been milling around him with the intent to lure him into their political fold, admonishing him to rather embark on community service in his home town and eschew politics until the coast is clear.

“His silence should be silence, not ominous silence, which is the kind of silence that is noisier than sound.

“I am saying this because between now and when the road to 2019 becomes more defined, anything he says or fails to say will be held against him,” the public commentator averred.

Gbemre added that Ibori should seize the opportunity of a second chance given him by God to rewrite his story.

According to him, “While we do not know what the Nigerian anti-graft authorities have in mind concerning Ibori, but since he has paid his due in the UK prison, he should just move on and adopt a new humble lifestyle. He also said that Ibori should not be carried away by the “fake heroic welcome that was given him at his return, or the crowd that follows him to think that he is popular.”

Be that as it may, notwithstanding the jail albatross hanging on his neck and barring any likelihood that his traducers may still be lurking around to resume another round of hostilities against him, the fear of Chief James Onanefe Ibori, the Odidigboigboi of Delta State politics, is fast becoming the beginning of wisdom in the murky waters of Delta politics.

Many are of the view that Ibori owns the ace to the realm of partisan politics in the state, while many others see him as the veritable game changer. He is viewed as a man with matchless electioneering skills, strategist, effective planner and a well-grounded grassroots mobilizer. Even though Ibori has remained silent on the way to go, many in the state are already expressing the view that Ibori remains the invincible leader of Delta politics, going by the level of influence attributed to him even from far-away UK jail house.  Any politician who ignores all these attributes may be doing so at his or her own peril.