JAMES IBORI UNLIKE BOLA TINUBU by Believe Mukoro

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief James Onanefe Ibori are in the same class of governors of 1999-2007 and both of them have similar political structure since then until recently Ibori lost his structure in Delta State in the 2023 general elections so much that his daughter Erhiatake Ibori narrowly won her election against a supposed member of the Ibori political family, Halims Ahoda. 

The difference between Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of Lagos State and Chief James Ibori of Delta state is outlined below italicized:

While Tinubu invested in younger political neophytes cum sons, Ibori invested in his friends, age mates and even his seniors some of whom are even smarter than him (sic). It’s like a man married to an older woman. One day, she would challenge the man on account of being older when experience is a contest.

Ex governor Emmanuel Uduaghan almost betrayed Ibori (even though they’re cousins) as he never wanted Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to succeed him as earlier dictated by Ibori. A last minute concession led to PDP presenting Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as their candidate in late 2014. 

Dr Ifeanyi Okowa played according to the rules in his first term just to be assured of a second term which he got on a platter of gold, winning 23 LGAs out of 25 LGAs, the best win in any governorship election in Delta State history.

Towards 2023, Ibori again was rearing his head to present his favorite candidate Chief David Edevbie (immediate past commissioner of finance) as PDP consensus governorship candidate against Okowa’s anointed candidate Hon Sheriff Oborevwori (then Speaker DSTHA). Okowa outsmarted his godfather first by totally controlling the state PDP structure, selected delegates for the PDP primary election and financially induced them. He had his way.

Ibori, knowing he’s lost it switched his support for the APC candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege who’s originally a member of the Ibori political family before he left PDP. Again, Ibori lost when PDP’s Sheriff Oborevwori won the election, electoral tribunal and up to the supreme court.

Currently, Chief Ibori can’t demand loyalty or royalty from the current governor of Delta state, Rt. Hon Sheriff Oborevwori who’s aware that he never supported him even though they’re of the same party. And all the current governor is doing, is being busy winning the people’s heart by working significantly, especially in roads and other infrastructural development. 

He’s done so well in just one year more than most governors of his class. He’s very proactive and if he continues, he wouldn’t need any godfather’s support to win re-election in 2027 because already, PDP’s main structure is controlled by the Urhobo ethic nationality where he hails from. Thus, it’s safe to say, uhuru for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.