Archbishop Goddowell Avwomakpa, otherwise referred to as political
archbishop, on Sunday showered ecomiums on ex-convict former Governor of Delta state, Mr. James Onanefe Ibori, describing him as a golden fish in the land even as he likened Ibori to the biblical Samson who was dealt with and handed over to the Philistine by the same people who sing praises of him when he came to their rescue.
Avwomakpa who is known for his romance with politicians especially the members of the People Democratic Party, PDP, showered the ecomiums on Ibori during a thanksgiving church service for Ibori at the First Baptist Church, Oghara, headquarters of Ethiope West local government area of the state.
Avwomakpa told ex-convict former governor Ibori that “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivered you from them all, the same people who shouted crucify him, crucify him, also wept and cried when he (Jesus) was actually nailed” and urged Ibori to bear no grudges against anyone adding that “A gift of God is a man you offend but yet he forgives you”.
The archbishop admonished all and sundry not to pull down any educated or rich persons in their family rather, they should be protected and prayed for saying Ibori was sent to jail by Deltans, like bliblical Joseph who was sold to Egypt but became a prime minister and that “Ibori faced similar circumstances like Joseph and Samson but has bounce back strong.”
Addressing the congregation the ex-convict governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori, made it loud and clear that he is not a thief saying “Today I have decided to speak for myself, I am not a thief, I cannot be a thief. Today is the day they say I should give testimony to God, for those that know me, you know that my entire life is a testimony itself and I have said it over and over again that my life is fashioned by God, directed by God, sealed, acknowledged, blessed by God and I believe that since the day I was born.”
Ibori who spoke mainly in his Urhobo language, noted that “When this whole commotion started, what was most painful to me was the pain and suffering that my people were going through. It has nothing to do with me as a person because for some reasons like I said to you, I drew my strength from God and somehow, I knew that God would stand by me, I knew that one day, and this day would come. I am indeed very please that I can now stand before you and look at your faces, faces that I have missed and those of you that have indeed suffered the pains of my absence. It has nothing to do with me.
“I discovered that they want to separate me from you people. They want me to go to the corner where I won’t be seen. That’s how I see it. At a point I called my elder brother (Former Governor Uduaghan) it is how I can get home is what I am about to do now. It was a pragmatic decision. I am happy to be home with my people. There is nobody that can battle with the Lord. Urhobo adage says there is time for everything (okemutie). A day will come when I will tell my story and every one of you will hear me. Today is to thank God.” Ibori stated.
Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa who was alleged of doling out a whooping sum of N350 million to sponsor the thanksgiving and reception for his political godfather and former governor of the state, Mr. James Ibori shunned the church thanksgiving service while the planned reception was shelved following the criticism that greeted the alleged release of the N350 million from the state treasury to celebrate the ex-convict former governor who only gained his freedom after serving his 13 years jail terms in the United Kingdom over money laundering and corruption.
