Thousands welcome Ibori in Oghara

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Tens of thousands of all age groups of the people of Oghara, in Ethiope West local government area of Delta state, poured to the streets of the town, to give a heroic welcome back home to Chief James Onanefe Ibori who returned home from London in the early hours of Saturday.

Among those who turned up to welcome him home were artisan groups, Okada riders and others, with many of them wearing vests inscribed with Oghara Youths Association and Oghara Builders Association.

It was a sea of heads at the premises of the former governor, as they forced their way through the main gate, giving security agents a hectic time at the gate.

When the motorcade finally entered the premises, the jubilant crowd ruptured into solidarity songs, shouting “Odidigborigbo, Odidigborigbo.”

Another women also stormed the premises with drums, singing; “James Ibori has arrived; people will know, people will hear it; James Ibori has arrived.”

Coming out of the Lexus SUV that conveyed him from the Benin city Airport took several minutes, as the huge crowd pressed in on the vehicle.

Chief Ibori who was decked in navy blue long sleeve shirt with white dots, finally stepped out of the vehicle at about 3:47 pm, acknowledged the crowd, waving and hailing the crowd, before entering the building for the first time after several years.

A man climbed a tree to get the picture of the ex convict