From across the length and breadth of Delta State, prominent politicians have continued to troop to Oghara, to pay homage to a former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori, at his country home since his return from the UK prison. The unfolding scenario looks like a renaissance in Delta politics and perhaps beyond, writes EMAMEH GABRIEL.
He spoke with all sense of buoyancy and vigour, taking and circumventing questions from journalists in London after his release and subsequent ‘deportation’ was announced by the British government. The aura from his voice was that of someone who wanted to get home and hit the ground running and get back to his political empire.
It is the story of a crafty political godfather, who rode on a choreography political horse, which earned him an indisputable place in the nation’s political landscape, coming back home to continue from where he stopped at.
Till 2009 when he fell out of favour with the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration due to the uncanny roles he played with the former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, to frustrate a peaceful transition of power to Jonathan, ex-Governor James Onanefe Ibori held sway not only in his political space in Delta State, but also beyond the Niger Delta region.
Known to be a highly influential politician, Ibori was the godfather of the politics of Delta State, first as a governor, then as a kingmaker, succeeding in unilaterally installing his cousin, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan as his successor in 2007.
This however did not live long as the ghost of his old crimes came hunting him until he fled the country in 2012.
James Ibori had left the country a fugitive after several failed attempts by the EFFC to arrest him. Subsequently, he was declared wanted by the British Government and in 2012 he subsequently arrested in the United Arab Emirate by the British authority with the aide of Interpol. Tried, pleaded guilty and was convicted by a British Court on money laundering and
Prior to his ordeal and subsequent arrest, Ibori had risen from a mere politician to a godfather and kingmaker in the politics of Delta State and beyond. That earned him the nickname; the Odidigborigbo of Africa. He became one of Nigeria’s most powerful politicians in the country that was rated on the same pedestrian with the President because of the resources he controlled while watching over one of the richest states in the Niger Delta.
Could be recalled that James Ibori, according to several media reports, was instrumental to late Yar’ Adua’s rise to the presidency in 2007. In fact, the former Delta State Governor was believed to be the biggest financier of Yar’ Adua’s election in that year.
Ibori was to the army of fortune seekers around Yar’Adua, the lattice to which they must be linked to to have access to the president. He was indeed the man for all season, who wielded so much influence and power. Clearly, most key appointments made by Yar’Adua came at Ibori’s instances and approval.
Former Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro and his successor, Ogbonnaya Onovo, got the blessings of Ibori before their appointments. Same was to the former EFFC boss, Mrs. Farida Waziri and Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF and a host of other big names and appointments in Yar’Adua’s government.
Hence it was no surprise that the former Delta State governor was a centre character among other cabals who played the controversial role to frustrate the peaceful transition of power to his kinsman, Goodluck Jonathan, in late Yar’ Adua’s last days in office.
Ibori’s immunity from prosecution was extended even after retiring as a state governor; he was indeed untouchable despite the avalanche of criminal charges brought against him by the EFCC.
Even when he was declared wanted by the British authority, arresting Ibori in Nigeria was difficult because he did not only enjoy massive support from his followers but also from the Nigerian’s security agencies.
This however did not live long, neither was he able to export such influence to the United Arab Emirate where he was arrested by the Interpol in 2012 and the rest are stories that will linger for generations after the former Delta State political lord pleaded guilty on trial in a UK court where served a four year jail term.
Even in faraway London where he was serving jail terms, Ibori still wielded enormous influence in the polity of Delta State. As a demi god, he was often consulted, he determines, to a very large extent, who deserves what, when and how in Delta State.
Nevertheless, the British government had recently issued a statement to the effect that former Governor James Onanefe Ibori was to be deported to Nigeria following the conclusion of his jail term in Britain. The statement however disclosed that British officials would continue the legal process to confiscate the proceeds of the former governor’s loot, which would then be returned to Nigeria.
According to the statement; “Having been jailed for his crimes in the UK and served his sentence, Mr. Ibori has now been returned to Nigeria. The UK will continue to pursue, vigorously, the legal process to confiscate and return to Nigeria, Ibori’s criminal assets. The UK is determined to lead the way in a coordinated global effort to bring the corrupt to justice.
“That is why it was vital we sent a clear message to the world that James Ibori, a man who stole millions from the Nigerian Government and laundered those proceeds in the UK, has been held to account. Mr. Ibori’s return will not prevent prosecutors from pursuing confiscation proceedings against him.”
James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State, arrived Nigeria last week in grandeur. Ibori was received by a massive crowd of his supporters who trooped out to celebrate his messianic return at the Benin airport after serving out a four-year term in a UK prison.
Despite the disparagement on him from some quarters, there are still those, like his political associates and his friends who said his return is big boost for the PDP to bounce back.
They said his return is a big relief and a welcome development for the Peoples’ Democratic Party and that with James Ibori coming back to politics with his political sagacity, the PDP would find a better direction.
As he returns on a chariot and red carpet in Delta State and it will not be out of context to know that the PDP political family has just swelled by a great number of followership.
Since his return, his home has almost become a mecca of a sort with visitors, political associates and friends flooding to pay homage.
Noticeably among those who have recently visited Ibori to pay homepage are the Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and his predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan among others like the Delta State deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro, Senator James Manager, former deputy governor to Ibori, Benjamin Elue and Professor Godini Darah all of which had expressed their happiness and readiness to work with their ‘political leader’ as they described him.
Ibori Is Back, What Next?
Analysts have said Ibori’s return may define a new pace in the politics of Delta State. The former Delta State governor had said once a politician is always a politician. This means Ibori will continue to decide who governs Delta State. Ibori was the man calling the shot; choosing Governors and Senators for Delta State while he was incarcerated. It is very clear that he will continue to be wield such power and influence, but first.
He Will Want To Clear Name
From all pointers, Ibori will appeal his conviction to prove to the world that he was not just a victim of witch-hunt but was convicted, by appealing his sentence. James Ibori had before leaving the London said he will appeal his conviction.
“Yes, I am planning to appeal my conviction. I have instructed my solicitors, said Ibori who announced to reporters in the UK that he is heading home ‘‘asap’’. ”I have been unfairly treated during the trial and I have already appealed against the conviction,” he said.
This means, if he gets his heads clear, that automatically opens the door for him to come back clean to politics. Alternatively, he was not convicted under the Nigerian law; therefore, technically he stands a better chance to contest for any political office of his choice in Nigeria.
May Take A Shot At The Senate In 2019
From all indications, Ibori, like every other African politician is not ready to retire from politics any time soon despite the moral burden on him. He had built a political empire back home while he was away and those he left it behind for had managed to sustain it in the last four years.
“What happens in African politics – you are in it until you die. I am a politician; I will always be a politician. I play the politics in my party and in my country for the good of my people,” Ibori had told Reuters in December 2016 after his release.
Politcs Of Thanksgiving Service
On Sunday, February 12, 2017, Oghara the hometown of former Delta State governor, James Ibori played host to dignitaries, friends and political associates who came in respect of a thanks giving service at the First Babtist Church organized by the people of Delta State to honor the return of their son from prison.
Deltans, both high and low trooped to Oghara for the church service held at Ibor’s instance.
Some of the dignitaries at the service are his cousin and past governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Ibori’s successor; Speaker of the Delta state house of assembly, Monday Igbuya; state PDP chairman, Kingsley Esiso, members of both past and present executive council of the state, house of assembly members and a host of others were at Oghara on Sunday to attend the church service.
Ibori: The Man of The People?
It is clear that the former Delta State governor still enjoys unflinching support from his people. He will therefore be banking on the philosophy of ‘‘the voice of the people is the voice of God’’ to get back on track. He will contest if they are willing to give him the platform and mandate to.
When Ibori decides to run for Senate in 2019, he will be banking on the love and support from his people as reason why he is again throwing his hat ring but will he be running under the platform of his party, the PDP? Who knows!
He may have stolen so much from the people, but as long as he is loved and adore by same people he had defrauded, he will still be calling the shots in polity in Delta State.
The Hurdles Before Him
Section 137 (1) of the Nigerian constitution bars people indicted for various offences (including fraud) from contesting elections for at least ten years. Ibori himself is weary of that fact and that is why he is currently doing all it takes do upturn his conviction and possibly gets a presidential pardon.
”I know I can contest for any position for now after 10 years but I will still play a bigger role in the party in order for me to serve his people”, said the ex-governor who cried that he was unfairly treated and he has lodged an appeal against his conviction.
However, it is not everyone that is in agreement with this; there are those who are weary of associating with the former governor of Delta State. Highly placed PDP members who spoke under anonymity said it would be wrong for the party to start celebrating, recalling that the PDP has not been able to recover from the bashing it received after naming former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion, as a member of the PDP campaign committee in Edo State.
He said ‘‘there should be morality in politics no matter how small. We celebrated Igbenidion and the late former governor of Bayelsa State Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha who was also an ex-convict. They were all members of our party.
According to him, the party needs to re-examines its position on many issues if it is serious about returning to Aso Rock in 2019. To him, Ibori coming back to the PDP at a time like this spells doom for the party if he is openly welcomed and that it is not a good omen for the future of a party.
Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark has refused to comment on Ibori’s return. Could be recalled that Chief Clark and others had written a petition to the EFCC on allege looting of Delta State resources when the former governor was at the helm of affairs.
There are also other complications as the Department of State Security (DSS) after inviting James Ibori on his return, said it would still meet Ibori to clear further issues which they described as issues of national interest.
There are also questions for Ibori to answer with the EFCC. Ibori has about 170 count charges against him with the EFCC. Whether the EFCC is going to wade into that or not, that would be determined as time goes on.