I Have Forgiven My Persecutors, Says Ibori

Ex-governor cannot be ignored in Nigeria, Secondus insists

Former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, has said he no longer nurses bitterness against anyone involved in his political persecution and eventual incarceration in a foreign land.

Ibori stated this at a grand reception organised for him at Ovwor-Olomu in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state by one of his Urhobo kinsmen and political associate, Chief John Oguma, at the weekend.

The ex-governor, who returned to the country in April last year after serving a jail term in a London prison for money laundering while he was a governor, said in the spirit of national reconciliation and oneness under one God, he would not resent anyone for the part they played in the events culminating in his incarceration.

Specifically, Ibori while responding to a stream of accolades from numerous dignitaries at the event, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Uche Secondus; Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and his immediate predecessor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, said: “I have forgiven all those who played one role or the other in my incarceration.”

He noted that power ultimately belongs to God and He only can give power, and advised the Nigerian political class, especially those seeking various political offices, not to heat up the polity in a bid to actualise their ambition.

“It has been a year since I returned from my sabbatical leave. I thank God and the entire Urhobo class for their support. In the days ahead, my actions will express my gratitude to you all,” Ibori observed.

Those who spoke earlier eulogised the exceptional leadership qualities of the two-term governor of Delta State, describing him as a bridge-builder and unifying factor particularly in the Niger-Delta.

At the event, the PDP National Chairman, Secondus extolled the sterling leadership prowess of Ibori, and harped on his outstanding contributions to the development of the entire Niger Delta region and Delta State in particular.

Secondus, who asserted that only the PDP can rescue Nigeria from the inept and rudderless leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC), said the former governor deserved all the accolades and honours he’s been receiving from individuals and groups “because he is a man of the people who had built a solid national political structure.”