Ibori: Prisoner in London, hero in Oghara

Although he is serving a 13-year jail term in a London prison for corruption and money laundering, supporters of former Delta State Governor James Ibori from threw a lavish party to mark his 55th birthday in Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State last weekend.
Flamboyant member of the Warri Kingdom council of chiefs, ChiefAyirimi Emami, a key supporter of the imprisoned governor, told reporters the ex-governor was worthy of celebration because of the giant strides recorded during his eight-year tenure.

Speaking after a novelty football match, Emami described Ibori’s travail as political, adding that the former governor did a lot in the development of youths, road construction and other infrastructure to better the lot of Deltans.
Emami, who is the Chairman of Itsekiri Regional Development Committee, IRDC, said: “Despite being in prison, if Ibori happens to contesting election now, he will win because he is a man of the people.”

Ibori's kinsmen in Oghara 

 Ibori’s kinsman, Mr Simon Otobo, said the Urhobo ethnic group has been worse off since Ibori’s ordeal, adding that some of his kinsmen who contributed to Ibori’s arrest are regretting the political gulf his absence is causing.
He urged the Federal Government and Britain to be lenient with the former governor.
An elderly woman and commercial motorcycle rider, Omoko Rose and Edafewogho Ekawhen, praised the former governor for developing Oghara and also appealed to the government to work towards Ibori’s release, saying it would help stabilise the polity.
Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Ben Igbakpa, an aide to governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Faith Majemite, a member in the board of DESOPADEC; Mr. Henry Ofa; former Burutu LGA Chairman, Mr. Asupa Forteta, and other top political office holders in Delta State who also bare their minds described the huge turnout of people at the novelty football match played at the Oghara township stadium between Ibori United of Oghara and Ibori United of Warri as a testament of the ex governor’s popularity.

Chief (Mrs) Faith Majemite (m) with other supporters

Our Correspondents who covered the novelty football match which ended one goal apiece report that the ceremony attracted thousands of youths in Delta State and was spiced up with entertainment by budding artistes.While former Warri North Chairman and current member of DESOPADEC board, Hon. Michael Diden captained the Ibori United football club of Warri, Delta State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Ben Igbakpa captained the Oghara side which also featured Emami.

(l-r) Chief Ayirimi Emami, Hon Igbakpa and Diden (Ejele) shaking hands before the kickoff