Ibori shuns controversy on successor
From Sunny Ogefere, Asaba
GOVERNOR James Ibori of Delta State has said that he would not be dragged into the debate as to who succeeds him in office come 2007 or as to whether power should shift from the Delta senatorial district of the state.
Fielding questions from reporters on Monday in Asaba, the state capital, he acknowledged the different views of his officials on the controversial issue of power shift, saying that it was not unusual as politicians were bound to play politics.
"I am not interested in 2007 yet, I am not going to involve myself in the debate as to who becomes the governor when I leave office", he stated.
According to him, the major concern is that at the end of the day, whoever succeeds him would be able to carry on from where he stopped.
"All I am praying for is that God should give Delta State a governor that will carry on from where I stopped. A governor that would understand the political and economic complexities of the state, a governor that will know the intricacies and understand that all these things are a factor in the survival and existence of Delta as a united and peaceful state", he added.
However, Ibori admitted that he has been under pressure to call to order his officials that were involved in the debate as to where and who power should shift to.
He said that as a democrat who believes in the freedom of speech, he will not gag anyone.
Said he: "People must play politics and engage in whatever activity they want to. I also know that in politics, people have their methods, so I am not going to gag anyone".
The governor explained that all he was interested in was that people should be responsible and show that they are responsible.
Ibori enjoined Deltans to pray to ensure that in 2007, the state will produce a governor that will be a stabilising factor economically and politically.
The governor also spoke on the bill that created the local council development committees in the Warri Federal Constituency, saying that it has since been signed into law.
He disclosed, however, that the law was in the process of being fine-tuned to accommodate the differences and fears expressed by the stakeholders.
He acknowledged that it was one of the many stages to go through to achieve stability in the Warri Federal Constituency.
According to him, as soon as stability has been achieved in the area, the government would be disposed to conduct council elections in the area.
He commended the security operatives in the area, the stakeholders and others involved for their co-operation to ensure that peace returned to Warri and environs and expressed the hope that the target will be attained very soon.
