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A word for Gov
Ibori�s detractors
The conflict
between Governor James Onanefe Ibori of Delta State and Mr. Goodnews Agbi
and Mr. Anthony Alabi appears to have taken the centre stage in recent times and
almost becoming an embarrassment to the good people of Delta
State.
The Press has not been left
out, as nothing was left to chance. Where necessary, reporters ambush the
parties to the conflict or their representatives for comments which are
later translated into eye-catching news headlines. News readers in turn
ambush vendors to pick copies of national dailies which have the Ibori
case as their headlines. There appears to be no end in sight to a peaceful
resolution of the saga. Instead people take positions either against or
for, depending on ones political inclinations thereby fueling unnecessary
tension in the once peaceful State.
Guided by the above scenario,
one therefore remains grateful to the Almighty God, that at last, Deltans
through their leaders have woken up to their responsibility to ensure that
peace returned to the State by attempting to resolve the conflict between
the 3 giants out of court. Before now, one expected the leaders of Delta
to have intervened in this conflict of their sons in the overall interest
of the State or to have been influenced by the shining example set by the
Oba of Benin and the Chairman of Abia Traditional Rulers Council in
settling the conflict between Chief Anthony Anenih (Chairman PDD Board of
Trustees) and Governor Orji Uzor Kalu of Abia State.
In the light of the above, one
therefore welcomes the good news that Ijaw leaders through Chief Edwin
Clark and the Chairman, Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, Obi
Emmanuel Ezeizomor, Oba of Owa are mounting pressure on Messrs Godnews
Agbi and Anthony Alabi to sheathe their swords and withdraw the suite
pending at the Abuja High Court in the overall interest of the State which
has remain in high tension by reason of the suit.
Chief Ibori may not be worst
than the other of his serving Governors, Senators or other elected
persons. That, Chief Agbi has himself acknowledged that enormous pressure
has been brought to bear on them by not only Chief Clark, Obi Emmanuel
Ezeizomor, other eminent Deltans but also by the political party which he
belonged to the Peoples� Democratic Party, the voice of reason and wisdom
demands that, they should give a careful thought to the entreaties of
these acknowledged personages.
It is pertinent to remind
Chief Agbi and Alabi that, sometimes, the Almighty God speak to man
through the instrumentally of his fellow man, and whereas in this instance
some of the respected leaders in Delta State like Chief Edwin Clark are
acknowledged to have in the pursuit of peace paid his way to Lagos to talk
peace, such sacrifice cannot just be discountenanced with impunity or the
Chairman of the Royal Fathers of his State be treated with disdain. This
is the proper situation to recall the once repeated wise saying the �THE
WORDS OF OUR LEADERS ARE WORDS OF WISDOM, THE WISEMAN HEARS AND GETS
WISER�. Let not the thoughts
of external political gladiators not take control over the internal
affairs of Delta people.
Whilst Nigerians celebrated
the 44th Anniversary of our great country, Nigeria, let Messrs Agbi and
Alabi add glamour to the celebration of their fellow Deltans by
withdrawing their suit against James Ibori. Afterall in the spirit of our
44th Anniversary celebration, the National Council of States endorsed the
recommendations of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) decision on
prisoners to be granted pardon under the presidential prerogative of mercy
and also those to be given national honours awards.
Utum U. Eteng,
Esq.
Calabar
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