THE TRAVAILS OF CHIEF JAMES ONANEFE IBORI AND THE DIMINISHING POLITICAL FORTUNE OF URHOBO

The travails of Chief James Onanefe Ibori was most sore, because it was headed by prominent Urhobo sons and daughters.  It is on record that Chief Ibori is among few Urhobo sons and daughters that have worked tirelessly for the economic and political development and progress of Urhobo land.  It is ironical therefore, for the same people to be in the forefront of his persecution even after his release.  Nobody asked why Chief Ibori should be singled out from among other thirty-six State Governors for victimization and punishment?

Chief James Onanefe Ibori - name and person has gone through so much abuse - post 2003 especially - and from Chief E. K Clark in particular.  It riles when people will not give due honour to Chief Ibori for his contributions and doggedness for Urhobo cause. There is nothing some people will not resort to because of politics. At a time, Femi Falana failed to refer to Dr. Odili’s case when he said no court in Nigeria has the power to grant immunity to any citizen from arrest or prosecution. What was done to Chief Ibori is still playing out today, with selective and vindictive anti-corruption war.

It is necessary to point out a few things about the travesty of Urhobo politics. The history of Urhobo politics is covered with misjudgment and misinterpretation leading to getting hold of the wrong side of the stick at every time.  Under the first republic, while every part of the old Western region was following the Action Group, Urhoboland voted NCNC.  In the second republic, while most parts of the former Western region were voting UPN, Urhoboland followed Chief Daniel Okumagba en-masse and voted NPN.  In 1999, Chief Ibori helped to put Urhoboland into the mainstream of Nigerian politics. Between 2003 and now, while most of the South-South region were voting PDP Urhoboland once again followed the opposition by voting either DPP or Labour party, very minor political parties that have no foothold in any other part of the country except Urhoboland. There is no way, only Urhobo votes can achieve much for us beyond the single Senatorial seat.

All these political actions easily place Urhoboland as political minority.  The effect of been political minority can be catastrophic; it can push back development and reduce political visibility.  Today, as it were, it is doubtful if we can point to any Urhobo political leader with a national reach either at the party level or in government?  The answer is an emphatic No! At the national level, we are totally insignificant, in spite of the population and voting strength.  Since we connived to persecute Chief James Onanefe Ibori, no one has emerged to table our issues nationally.  Under the Government of President Jonathan, to have political relevance, our people fought each other fiercely to have the attention of Chief E.K. Clark.  Under President Buhari, those in APC are battling to have the attention of Chibuike Amaechi.

Even at the State level, Urhobo political relevance has been highly eroded. As it is presently, Urhobo lack a political leader. A political leader may be identified as any occupant of an established political position or as any person, in or out of such a position, whose political activity has more influence upon a group's behavior than has the activity of the average member. Men are the actors of politics; some men are more active than others; and the shape and direction of their activities earn them leadership, great or minor. It is my sincere prayer that Urhoboland should continue to receive development.