James Ibori: When the Undisputed ‘hero’ Returns to take his Throne

“The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.” These are the words of Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, a 19^th century German philosopher who holds a record of being the youngest Chair of Classical Philology at the University of Basel in 1869, at the age of 24.

Friedrich Wilhelm may have lived in a different era as we are today, but the truth of these epic words holds true in all ages. We live in an interesting time in history; unfortunately the times we are in are filled with people who have been taught to hold in higher regards those who think like them.

If you are a Nigerian, especially a Deltan you will feel the atmosphere is predominantly saturated with popular opinions. I call it “popular opinions” because anyone who thinks outside those circles are regarded as biased, misguided or an enemy of the state.
Yesterday the entire state was in a party mood and the people can’t just wait to herald the arrival of their hero. According to the popular opinion the man from the UK is the best governor the state has ever had. To those who are not aware of who the “beloved son” of the state is, I will like to first state what he is not, first he did not win a national honor or a Nobel prize, the hero has not left a state that can be said to be the most developed state in the country, neither is he a man of honor and integrity.
He is a man who just got deported from UK after serving a 13year jail term for stealing US$250 million from the state coffers. James Ibori as a former governor of Delta State who is officially an ex-convict came back to his home town of Oghara yesterday, and the youths who take delight in regarding those who think like them in higher esteem gathered in their numbers to do him an honor, anyone one who thinks he is not a “hero” is a good as trash as far as they are concerned.
To what end is all these about? It’s a big shame that not only the “youths” are happy that a man who stole the state dried has returned, but even the elders of the state gathered at the airport to welcome the lion of Delta State.
Ask any of them why they are happy, you will hear disgusting things like “he is our son”, is he the only former governor who stole?, some will go on to say he is a victim of political power play and they will stop at nothing to defend the Indefensible.
Delta Youths in Protest Mood
One of the biggest hypocritical act I have ever seen in history is what has been happening in Delta State over the past couple of months. A certain group of youths, exact same people with the popular opinion that James Ibori is a hero went on a campaign of “stop him at all cost” against former governor Emmanuel Uduaghan over an alleged loothing and corruption.
“According to the statement by sponsors of the mass protest against Uduaghan, “Patriots, 3000 T-shirts have been printed abroad with banners designed in USA for the day. Yours faithfully and the Nigerian team have gotten hold of 2000 T-shirts already sent from abroad. Press Briefing will take place at Ladi kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja with live coverage by a National Television.
“The protest to EFCC and Aso Rock will also be covered and stream live to everyone across the globe. Five TV stations including two international media have agreed to broadcast the event to the world. Nigeria major Online News Websites are not left out. It’s a day for the media as we hold the first of its kind”.
I found it as a gross misnomer to regard James Ibori, an ex-con a hero and at same time call Emmanuel Uduaghan who has not been found guilty by any competent law court a thief. Granted, the three major political actors in the State since 1999 are these three men who have taken turn as governor of the state, if the head which is James Ibori is a confirmed thief, there’s no way his offspring can be exonerated.
Enter Okowa…..
“It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.” This is a famous quote from Aung San Suu Kyi’s, Freedom from Fear. This summaries the story in Delta politics.
There’s only one man who Deltans should be more concerned with, the man is not Ibori, neither is he Uduaghan, but the seating governor Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa. This is because as the man who currently wields the highest authority in the state, he is more prone to corruption. Especially now that the fear of losing power is drawing ever closer.
Instead of wasting time protesting against a former governor, the resources and time should better be expended on putting Okowa in check. Soon the fear of losing his second term bid will lay its full might on him, and then the massive corruption that it brings will once again take the state back to the era of massive looting, stealing and disregard for the future of the state.