Ahead of the 2019 general elections, very strong indications emerged Saturday which suggested that former governor of Delta state, James Ibori may have abandoned the incumbent governor, Ifeanyi Okowa who is seeking for a second tenure in office.
This was played out from a speech by Mr. Ibori who was been hosted at a grand reception organized in honour by the immediate past Secretary to the Delta state Government, (SSG), and veteran labour leader, Ovuozourie Macaulay, at Owhelogbo, Isoko North local government area of the state.
According to Ibori, who said he doesn’t belong to any political party but now an elder statesman, noted that politicians who cannot put the interest of their people above their personal interest are not fit to serve in any capacity of government.
“I don’t belong to any political party, I am now an elder statesman, my political family members cut across, so, I speak as such. When you are in office, people will abuse you, allow them, that is the beauty of democracy. People will say things that you have not done, listen to them because that is why are there.
“You must have the courage to on behalf of your people, it doesn’t matter which political party you belong. Once you are given that mandate to do what is right just do your best for your people. I will be happy if this democracy which we all fought for is deepened.” Ibori stated.
Former governor Ibori who took time in thanking and showering encomiums on Mr. Macaulay for organizing a reception in his honour, noted that “In life you learn from everything, every politics is local, every politics is from your home, your family and I am happy that Macaulay has proven his worth as a son of the land.
“You are in public office to represent your people, to speak on behalf your people even at the point of the gun you should be able to do it. If you need men and women to serve, you just have to forget the boundaries and reach beyond to get people to serve in government.”
On his part, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa urged Deltans to engage in actions that will strengthen the bond of unity to matter the political divide adding that “The more united we are, the better for our state, we should play politics that will engender unity. Most of us have being looking forward to an event like this where our leader is honoured, there is no doubt that Chief Ibori is a leader in its true sense, he built a strong political family and by the grace of God, the leadership of the state today is still within the family, the family is still intact and most of the things we have achieved in the state today can be traced to the foundation laid by him,”
While saying that no road in the country that can be compared to roads constructed in the state, Okowa thanked the former governor for what he described as laying the foundation. “I must thank him for laying a foundation that we are building on, there is no state in the country today that has the type of road infrastructure we have in Delta State, Chief Ibori has a big heart, he is bold.”
Also speaking, the immediate past Governor of the state, Emmanuel Uduaghan urged the people to avoid pulling down those who are in position of authority, rather, such people should be encouraged to succeed, reiterating, that “Chief James Ibori is up and he will never go down again.”
Speaking in the same vein, immediate past Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, described Ibori as a bridge builder who has the interest of his people at heart.
Mr. Oshiomhole, who indirectly took a swipe at governor Okowa, while responding to a query by the immediate past SSG of Delta state concerning the appointment of an Isoko man as a Minister and chairman of a viable federal board, challenged Governor Okowa of PDP to make the people Isoko in Delta State get a federal appointment as soon as possible otherwise; the APC would do so if the Isoko people only do the needful.
The Comrade governor as fondly called,
charged the immediate past SSG of Delta state and the people of Isoko nation who are crying of marginalisation especially the appointment of Isoko man as a Minister and chairman of a viable federal board to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and join the progressives in the All Progressives Congress, (APC) party and their dreams come through.
Earlier in his address, the immediate past Secretary to the Delta state Government and veteran labour leader, Ovuozourie Macaulay emphasised the need for the Isoko nation to be appointed into ministerial position, insisting that the Isoko have never been represented in the federal executive council.
Macaulay however noted that the event was in honour of the former governor of the state, James Ibori, “a giant in the struggle, a resilient fighter for the rights of the Nigerian workers and the masses, a courageous and selfless social crusader.”
“When will an Isoko man be named
a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and when will an Isoko man chair a viable federal board? Since 1999 till date, apart from the four years of Senator Stella Omu, Isoko people have never been given a federal appointment in spite of our high level contributions to electoral victories and revenue accruing to Nigeria from oil” and prayed that the Isoko people were looking forward for help to remedy the situation.
Chairman of the occasion, General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd) thanked God for the life of Ibori and commended Comrade Macaulay for organising the event.
Our correspondents report that high point of the event which was attended by Ibori’s Deputy, Benjamin Elue, former acting Governor of Delta State, Sam Obi, Admiral Dele Ezeoba, former Chief of Naval staff, former Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei, Solomon Ogba, traditional rulers, clergies among others was cutting of “Unity cake”.
