James-ibori-as-the-real-obstacle-responsible-for-and-depriving-delta-state-from-development-with-his-extravagant-lifestyle-and-insatiable-greed-for-political-power-influence

Ibori's mugshot after he was arrested by British Authorities in Dubai
 
JAMES IBORI – AS THE “REAL” OBSTACLE RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND DEPRIVING DELTA STATE FROM DEVELOPMENT WITH HIS EXTRAVAGANT LIFESTYLE AND INSATIABLE GREED FOR POLITICAL POWER/INFLUENCE
It is high time we bring out the drums and make all the noise we can muster to shout to ALL DELTANS TO PLEASE WAKE! WAKE UP FROM YOUR SLUMBER AND SAVE YOURSELVES FROM THIS POLITICAL SLAVERY. It is time for all well-meaning Deltans and Nigerians in the State to know those that are the real enemies of Delta State’s development and progress, and then shame and expose them for who they really are. The deplorable situation in Delta State is no longer funny, and should not be taken lightly anymore.
Former Governor of Delta State, and ex-convict, James Onanefe Ibori, has been the “behind-the-scene” obstacle responsible for everything politically and socio-economically wrong in Delta State. He has been the one who has been depriving Delta State from actualizing the needed basic development in the State – with his flamboyant and extravagant lifestyle, which is being maintained/serviced with Delta State public funds since he came back from UK prison.
James Ibori (born 4th August 1959), rather than “HIDE IN SHAME” OR SHOW A LITTLE BIT OF “REMORSE OR REPENTANCE” FOR THE CORRUPTION ATROCITIES HE HAS COMMITTED AGAINST DELTA STATE WHILE IN OFFICE (from 29th May 1999 to 29th May 2007), especially when Ibori himself pleaded guilty, on Monday (20/02/2012) to charges of money-laundering involving sums amounting to at least 50 million pounds ($66 million), and conspiracy to defraud Delta State, in a South Wark Crown Court - UK, of which Ibori got a 13-year jail sentence and he served half the term; it is therefore appalling that Ibori still has the audacity and impetus to carry himself about and throttle around public domain as if nothing happened. Such “ridiculous attitude” that is without any iota of shame, which is being exhibited by Ibori, CAN ONLY COME FROM A MAN THAT IS WITHOUT CONSCIENCE AND REGARD FOR THE GOOD PEOPLE OF DELTA STATE. The saddest part is that some Delta locals and elites, whose collective wealth were stolen by Ibori, still praise, honour and even worship him wherever he goes, since he came back to Nigeria.
It is no longer news that Ibori, apart from serving as Governor of Delta State for years, he has also manipulatively produced the successive administrations in Delta State till date, namely: the Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan administration (2007-2015), and the Dr. (Sen.) Ifenyi Okowa administration (2015-Date). With his men, and even his daughter, Erhiatake (‘Take) Ibori, occupying every important Party and Legislative Positions in Delta State, Ibori has positioned himself to continually dictate and control the fortunes of Delta State.
Consequently, IBORI HAS USED, AND STILL USING THE ABOVE TO HIS ADVANTAGE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF DELTA STATE. WE CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE, OR ELABORATE THE EXTENT TO WHICH IBORI IS UNDER DEVELOPING THE STATE BY ‘FORCING/COERCING’ THE ADMINISTRATIONS/POLITICAL POSITIONS HE PLANTED, INCLUDING THE OKOWA ADMINSITRATION, TO FUND HIS FLAMBOYANT AND EXTRAVAGANT LIFESTYLE AND BUSINESS EMPIRE. 
Deltans should be informed that, at the moment, it is being alleged that Delta State is owing a huge debt to a private jet owner (name withheld). This debt, which was incurred by Ibori - whose huge appetite for using private jet to hover around the country, is expected to be paid with Delta State public funds meant for development and provision of basic infrastructural needs in the State. On the other hand, we heard that if Governor Okowa wants to make any official movement outside Delta State from Asaba, he uses the Business Class of either Arik Air, Aero Contractors or Air Peace to travel as a normal air passenger. But Ibori does not go anywhere without the said chattered private jet.
The saddest part is that Governor Okowa, cannot even say or do anything about this anomaly perpetrated by Ibori. It is as if Okowa has become a complete slave to Ibori, with his hands tied and mouth gagged. The Delta State Governor, Okowa, is in bondage. This is because, whatever Ibori consumes and expends, it is the Delta State Government currently under Okowa, that foots the bill. Is that a man with conscience that understands the sufferings and plight of Deltans? What a tragedy of a people!
We aware that as an ex-governor, Ibori is entitled to some privileges, as reflected in the Nigerian Constitution. But that does not mean Delta State should be funding all his reckless activities and private businesses. That does not mean the Delta State Government should be funding Ibori’s hired/chattered private jets, which he uses to move around. He remains an ex-governor, and should be treated as such, and not like a sitting governor who determines how and where to spend the State’s money. The Delta State resources should not be used to fund Ibori’s reckless lifestyle and said private business activities. He cannot be living entirely on Delta State like his private property. All his movements and personal activities cannot be funded by the State. Enough is enough!
The question is, should we all keep quiet, fold our hands and pretend that all is well? Should we all sit back, and allow an ex-convict who has reaped the State’s public funds to a bleeding point, to continue to hold Delta State to ransom and captivity? God forbids! An ex-convict cannot, and should not be allowed to come and obstruct the State’s development and progress. Ibori’s hold on Delta State should urgently be undone for Delta State to experience true democracy and development.
For a Nigerian politician like James Ibori, who had served two terms (of Eight years) in Office as Governor of Delta State; had introduced his daughter, Ms Erhiatake (‘Take) Ibori into politics as a first-time (and youngest) member of the Delta State House of Assembly who stunned political analysts when she emerged as the Chairman of the influential House Committee on Finance and Appropriation; had wielded enormous influence in the last decade and determined, to a large extent, who gets what, when and how in the oil-rich State – what more could Ibori be looking for? We believe what is left for James Ibori now is to ‘remain silent’ and be an ‘elder statesman’ at the background. As one who simply contributes to his Community’s growth and development, as a Community Leader of Oghara Kingdom. This was the advice given to Ibori by Abraham Ogbodo of The Guardian newspaper, some time ago after Obori’s release from prison. It is that same advice that we are giving to Ibori to heed.
Most importantly, the people of Delta and Nigerians in the State should realize that what Delta State is using to service/maintain/sustain the flamboyant and extravagant lifestyle of Ibori, is enough to completely transform One-Third of the State in terms of physical and economic development. How can one man be left to continue crippling the economic progress and fortunes of the State, in the last two decade?
This is the same Ibori who practically introduced “thuggery politics” in Delta State, as shown during past elections in the State. Before Ibori’s time in Government office, politics in Delta State was devoid of violence and electoral malpractices. But all of that changed from the moment Ibori came into power in 1999. Everything about Ibori’s politicking is by the use of force and coercion. This is the same Ibori that some persons who call themselves prominent leaders still work hard for, to perpetuate his flawed legacy. What a shame! I pity some of our Urhobo people for exhibiting this level of ignorance and foolishness. People should not seek for their bellies for today, and end up mortgaging their future and that of the future of the next generation. Let us learn to call what is black, black, and what is white, white – without any iota of bias or what they hope to gain from it. All these ephemeral things people are seeking and mortgaging their lives for, are all vanity upon vanity.
While other State Governments across the country are leaving praise-worthy, admirable and exemplary legacies that would outlive their time in office, those in Delta State with Ibori at their front, have been busy enriching themselves, families and cronies and also ensuring that they continue with such “evil dynasty” even after they had left office. Thereby leaving Deltans and Nigerians in Delta State with more hardship, suffering, poverty, insecurity and the State worse than the way they met it.
If care is not taken, Ibori would continue to enslave us, by determining who becomes Governor or hold other political positions in Delta State in 2023 and beyond. Well, it is about time we come together as a people to undo and free this State from the grips of Ibori and his negative influence. We make this clarion call to all well-meaning Deltans and Nigerians in the State, to expose Ibori’s insatiable greed and over ambition, which is constantly suppressing the freewill of the good people of Delta State to choose their preferred leaders and future progress.
Delta State does not belong to Ibori and some selected few, it belongs to all Deltans. Delta State does not belong to Ibori and his family members and friends, it belongs to all of us. Hence, they should stop this selfish aggrandizement of our collective wealth. Enough of this nonsense!
 
 
 
Zik Gbemre.
 
 
 
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