Why It Is Quietly Becoming “Dangerous” To Call Ibori Ex-Convict

Though the facts are what they are – sacred, but in the case of Mr James Ibori it is becoming a dangerous pastime to utter them.

Ibori, the former Governor of Delta state was convicted for stealing $250million by a London court – after pleading guilty.

He was sentenced to 13years imprisonment in a U.K Prison for the 10 count charge offenses of money laundering and conspiracy to defraud.

The powerful politician was released and deported in February 2017 to a “heroic” welcome by the people of his community in Delta state.

Since his arrival, he has enjoyed VIP treatments at important occasions and played guest to notable Nigerians.

And why shouldn’t he?

Those close to him claim while in prison he was influencing election and appointment of key government officials at the federal level.

The whole structure of the government of his state is said to be at his beck and call.

“He has friends, loyalists and die-hard supporters who go all out to protect his interest, including taking on those view as cast aspersion on their patron by calling him ex-convict” a source observes.

Ibori’s widespread acceptance has unofficially edited out his spell in prison out of the former governor’s “history”.

” They are treating it like it never happened” a source said.

And a loud attestation of this observation just came from his party, the People’s Democratic Party.

The leadership of the party which ruled the country for sixteen years and is looking to take over reins of government after losing the last presidential election to current political power All Progressives Congress has declared Ibori “must be celebrated across the nation”.

According to information monitored on premiumtimesng.com, Party Chairman Uche Secondus at a grand reception held in honor of Ibori on Saturday stated

“Ibori must be celebrated because he is a man of the people not just in Delta state but across the nation, today, he is a factor in this country. On behalf of the masses of our country, we salute you, we salute your courage because you are a man who believes in the struggle of the party…

“You [Delta State] have a son that has built a political structure that is envied across the nation. Delta State remains the only state in the nation that has a stability in political succession. It remains the only state where all the Governor that have ruled the state are still members of the PDP,”

This emphatic and open declaration by Secondus, backed by endorsements by the Delta state government at the event provide a clear indication of the “growing danger” in publicly calling Ibori an ex-convict.