Last week,Former Governor of Delta State,James Ibori was released from a UK prison where he served a four year term after he was convicted in 2012 for money laundering and other related offences.
Ibori was found guilty in the UK,when the Nigerian courts could not convict him.He robbed his people blind,and pilfered the coffers of Delta State to the tune of billions of Naira,yet he wasn't found guilty here in Nigeria,until his cup became full and the UK did the needful.
One would think Deltans,after all these evidence that he stole from them ,that a man they trusted with their votes robbed them and thus make them angry ,one would think their blood would boil and they would scoff at the very mention of his imminent return.A man who stole their collective patrimony.A man who governed an oil rich state with nothing to show for it,who left them improvished.A state where People are still wallowing in poverty,a state where children are still out of school,a state where some communities cannot access good roads or pipe borne water, where the hospitals are without equipment, where the schools are in shambles, one can go on and on. As stated above,one would expect the people to turn a blind eye and ignore the arrival of the former Governor as he returns home.
The reverse was the case as IBORI was welcomed amidst pomp and pageantry, it was gathered that his wellwishers and political acolytes alike waited to recieve him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja,before he was whisked away by the DSS for debriefing.The drums were rolled out to welcome back the son of the soil also in his hometown of Oghara,Delta Sate.A billboard was mounted in his honor to welcome him back home.The people were happy to see their son,they are happy he has regained his freedom. IBORI reveled in this honorable reception his people bestowed upon him.He ,like the prodigal son,recieved a rousing welcome and applaud ,they showed him love In a manner that would make even the incumbent Governor green with envy.To these set of people James Onanafe IBORI is a hero,hence he deserves a heroic welcome.
It is now being touted in some quarters that Ibori might join the ruling party,thereby continuing from where he stopped politically,his proteges cannot wait. Sounds absurd,but this is Nigeria for you.This type of bizarre show is not peculiar to Delta State alone,we love the people stealing from us,we adore them.In fact they can do no wrong in our eyes,one wonders if this is a curse or outright stupidity.We are so blinded by ethnicity,once a politician is accused of corruption,we are quick to scream witchunt! The 'my thief is better than yours syndrome'.
Until Nigerians stop the hero worshipping of the very Leaders behind their travails,the people responsible for why they cannot get quality Healthcare and other basic social amenities, until we stop all the theatrics, I am afraid,the country will not progress and we will continue to breed more Iboris.
1 comment:
Hmm,we are our own problem.
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