IBORI @ 60; "H.E IBORI IS THE POLITICAL "MOSES" OF OUR TIME".....FRED OGHENESIVBE...

JAMES ONANEFE IBORI 

Being a good leader, comes with huge benefits and this is exactly why Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former Executive Governor of Delta state is getting from a large percentage of deltans who have been showering the man popularly referred as the “Odidigborigo”.

His Excellency, Chief James Ibori, former Chairman of the South-south Governors Forum, has been described as the political Moses of our time, anointed by God to place Delta State in the front burner of partisan politics and national leadership.

Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State, Dr Fred Oghenesivbe in message on the occasion of Ibori's 60th birthday said “Odidigborigo” is the first Urhobo nationalist to exercise enormous influence in Aso Rock especially during the brief tenure of late President Musa Yar'adua, noting that if not for the frivolous charges against him; he would have possibly occupied a higher office within a short period of time after his tenure as governor.

He further asserted that Ibori was able to go that far in national politics because of his detribalized nature coupled with his excellent human relations across board; and in the process increased the number of his political associates throughout the six geopolitical political zones.

"Delta State and indeed Urhobo Nation was short-changed through the arrest of Chief Ibori followed by prolonged legal battles, because of his already established influence in Aso Rock during the Yar'adua administration and after his demise, would have attracted substantial development to Delta State and the South-South states.

"Ibori would have been able to, extensively lobby for full resource control through restructuring or raise the derivation percentage from 13 to 50%; but unfortunately Yar'adua gave up the ghost making it possible for his political detractors to frustrate him and in the same token deprived Delta State and Urhobo Nation from savouring the gains of Ibori's solid relationship with the then President and Aso Rock power brokers.

"All hope is not lost, there is already a bright light shinning at the end of the tunnel; the signs are everywhere and we are hopeful that  Odidigborigo shall soon bounce back into visible high tension political power game, for the good, progress and development of the South-South geopolitical zone in particular and Nigeria in general.

"My family and I, humbly join millions of Ibori's followers, admirers and associates all over Nigeria and beyond to rejoice with him and his family on the auspicious occasion of his 60th birthday anniversary celebration.

"The finger of God shall continue to be steadfast in the enviable life of our national leader, Chief Ibori, and he shall live in good health and greater wisdom to take charge of higher political and public responsibilities, going forward," Oghenesivbe said.