The presence of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state and his entourage was on Saturday shunned and dwarfed by the people of Agbon kingdom, Ethippe East local government area of the state during the Agbon day celebration following the presence and arrival of the former governor of the state, Mr. James Onanefe Ibori at the ceremony.
The presence of Ibori at the 2017 Agbon day celebration held at the Palace of the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, Ogurime’ rime, Ukori, in Isiokolo, Ethiope East Local Government Area attended by top government officials , traditional rulers and prominent Deltans from all walks of life was the first outing outside his home town, Oghara town, headquarters of Ethippe West local government area of Delta state since his recent freedom from the United Kingdom’s (UK) prison where he served a 13 year jail term over money laundering and corruption.
A HardReporters correspondent who witnessed the ceremony reports that the presence of former governor Ibori however rubbished, humiliated and made the presence of the incumbent governor Okowa and his entourage useless and unpopular as everyone trooped out to catch a glimpse of Ibori with ovation of “Odidigboigbo 1 of Africa” that rented the air.
“The presence of Ibori alone made stupid the presence of governor Okowa and his entourage because at the event Okowa’s presence as a governor was not felt. Everybody was for Ibori, falling on top of each other just to catch a glimpse of Ibori and I know that what was running through the mind of Okowa was what would I be remembered for when I leave office. Ibori is a true leader and that was demonstrated today as Okowa was leaving the arena. Ibori sat back to allow Okowa to leave with his entourage first because he knows immediately he steps out everybody will definitely follow him and abandon Okowa at the ceremony.” a source who witnessed the event stated.
Commenting on the development, a palace chief of Agbon kingdom who pleaded anonymity told HardReporters that with what transpired today (Saturday) at the Agbon day celebration, Okowa has no place in the hearts of the people adding that “Okowa must have a change of mind, follow the good steps of Ibori in developing the entire state and not by looting the state blind. Okowa is a disappointment and will continue to be a disappointment unless he changes.Today Ibori is been celebrated and I asked what would Okowa be celebrated for.”
In his speech, governor Okowa hinted that his administration was taking the development of Ethiope East holistically, assuring that his government “must continue to consolidate on the gains of the foundations of what our leader Chief James Ibori has done since 1999.” and thanked the Agbon Monarch for acknowledging the development efforts of former Governor James Ibori.
