A
abujagirl
Guest
James Onnefe Ibori, former Governor of Delta State returned to Nigeria amidst fanfare despite having done time in a UK Prison.
Ibori may be despised by many who see as him an ex-convict, but to his clan in the Niger Delta, he is a leader, who championed what was right, and got punished for a 'just' cause. His political clout seems untainted by his jail term, as the high and mighty trooped to his home to pledge their continued allegiance.
Even Nigeria's highhanded DSS boss, Lawal Daura joined the welcoming party by orchestrating a private meeting with Ibori. After the meeting Daura said, “He met me for a short debriefing session and way forward; also, to welcome him back to his fatherland. We are also meeting soon to discuss issues of interest affecting the nation.''
In the coming weeks, more politicians are expected to troop to Ibori's home to pledge allegiance. He may no longer be able to run for office due to his criminal conviction but Ibori can still make and dethrone kings.
Before his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, Ibori, a governor between 1999 and 2007 was one of the fiercest proponents for 13% derivation and Niger Delta Amnesty programme. The agitators in the creek listened to him and answered when he summoned. Ibori was and is still his people's champion. During his welcome party, Chairman, Warri North local government Area Hon.Chief Francis Maku announced that ''the owner of the Jungle is back on stage.''
Nigeria has been plagued with dwindling income due to renewed insurgency in the Niger Delta and the crash of oil prices. Oil prices may rise in the future but unless insurgency is tackled most of the oil will remain inaccessible. Already, Nigeria economy is in shambles and the country has been unable to increase oil production due to the insurgency in the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian government may have to turn to Ibori for help in handling the situation as several other moves by other Niger Delta leaders have failed. If the Government turns to Ibori, it is expected that he can work with the leaders to seek lasting peace in the region – the main seat of oil and gas production, and constitute over 90% of Nigerian foreign-exchange earnings. He can negotiate with the militants to stop the bombings to help Nigeria with much needed revenue. A new road map is needed for lasting peace in the Niger Delta. Ibori can bring the major players to the table.
Some may argue that why should the Nigerian government use a convicted criminal in its negotiations? However, the real question is: why not? In late 2015, the President Buhari-led Federal government announced that it was open to negotiation with boko haram. If the government could negotiate with boko haram, a faceless terror group whose only known agenda is the Islamisation of Nigeria then, it most certainly can use Ibori in the negotiations with Niger Delta Militants.
Internationally, there are also some examples of governments negotiating with unscrupulous elements for the sake of peace. Margaret Thatcher gave her personal approval to secret talks between government officials and the IRA leadership in 1990.
Ibori is a golden opportunity for the Nigerian government to restore peace, among other things in the Niger Delta. Will it grab it or watch it slip away?
Ibori may be despised by many who see as him an ex-convict, but to his clan in the Niger Delta, he is a leader, who championed what was right, and got punished for a 'just' cause. His political clout seems untainted by his jail term, as the high and mighty trooped to his home to pledge their continued allegiance.
Even Nigeria's highhanded DSS boss, Lawal Daura joined the welcoming party by orchestrating a private meeting with Ibori. After the meeting Daura said, “He met me for a short debriefing session and way forward; also, to welcome him back to his fatherland. We are also meeting soon to discuss issues of interest affecting the nation.''
In the coming weeks, more politicians are expected to troop to Ibori's home to pledge allegiance. He may no longer be able to run for office due to his criminal conviction but Ibori can still make and dethrone kings.
Before his arrest and subsequent imprisonment, Ibori, a governor between 1999 and 2007 was one of the fiercest proponents for 13% derivation and Niger Delta Amnesty programme. The agitators in the creek listened to him and answered when he summoned. Ibori was and is still his people's champion. During his welcome party, Chairman, Warri North local government Area Hon.Chief Francis Maku announced that ''the owner of the Jungle is back on stage.''
Nigeria has been plagued with dwindling income due to renewed insurgency in the Niger Delta and the crash of oil prices. Oil prices may rise in the future but unless insurgency is tackled most of the oil will remain inaccessible. Already, Nigeria economy is in shambles and the country has been unable to increase oil production due to the insurgency in the Niger Delta.
The Nigerian government may have to turn to Ibori for help in handling the situation as several other moves by other Niger Delta leaders have failed. If the Government turns to Ibori, it is expected that he can work with the leaders to seek lasting peace in the region – the main seat of oil and gas production, and constitute over 90% of Nigerian foreign-exchange earnings. He can negotiate with the militants to stop the bombings to help Nigeria with much needed revenue. A new road map is needed for lasting peace in the Niger Delta. Ibori can bring the major players to the table.
Some may argue that why should the Nigerian government use a convicted criminal in its negotiations? However, the real question is: why not? In late 2015, the President Buhari-led Federal government announced that it was open to negotiation with boko haram. If the government could negotiate with boko haram, a faceless terror group whose only known agenda is the Islamisation of Nigeria then, it most certainly can use Ibori in the negotiations with Niger Delta Militants.
Internationally, there are also some examples of governments negotiating with unscrupulous elements for the sake of peace. Margaret Thatcher gave her personal approval to secret talks between government officials and the IRA leadership in 1990.
Ibori is a golden opportunity for the Nigerian government to restore peace, among other things in the Niger Delta. Will it grab it or watch it slip away?