Delta State Residents jubilate over announcement of Ibori's return

The announcement at the weekend in Delta state that James Ibori, former governor of the state who has been in prison in the United Kingdom for alleged money laundering, will return to the country and even celebrate the Christmas in Oghara, his hometown, has sparked off jubilation.

Former Governor Ibori is expected back in the country before Christmas

Ibori served as two-term governor of the state but was found guilty of alleged corruption in the UK even though he was discharged and acquitted of all charges against him in Nigeria. He had been serving a jail term in the foreign country, but political watchers say he remains politically powerful back in his home state.

The announcement of his possible return was made by Chief Ighoyota Amori on Sunday, September 25, while speaking in Oghara during the 50th birthday celebration of the former commissioner for Transport in the state, Mr Ben Igbakpa, according to a report by Vanguard.

While urging the people to pray for Ibori, Amori was quoted as saying: “Our leader, Chief James Onanefe Ibori will soon return to Oghara.

“Chief James Onanefe Ibori will spend this year Christmas with us here.”

He told the crowd that Ibori’s return is as certain as death, adding: “We will all gather to give him a wonderful reception here in Oghara.

“And our lives will begin again once he returns back to the country.”

Igbakpa, a former member of the House of Assembly of the state, thanked God for sparing his life for the celebration.

He also thanked Chief James Onanefe Ibori and former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan for carrying him along and giving him the opportunity to serve in the government of the state.

On September 4, 2016, a Twitter user had posted that Ibori had returned to the country and that he was seen on an Arik air flight. This was however denied.

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