Why ex-Delta governor, James Ibori didn’t throw a party for his 60th birthday

Former Delta State governor, James Onanefe Ibori who has been spending his time since his release from a London jail after being incarcerated for 13 years for misappropriating government funds, clocked 60 years last week. And very unlike him, well known to throw good parties while he was in power, the former governor, refused to throw a party to celebrate his birthday.

Many had thought that like his allies, former Edo State governor, Lucky Igbinedion and former Ekiti State governor, Niyi Adebayo, both of who held very grand parties to usher themselves into the 60s club, James Ibori would do likewise, seeing that despite his travails, he still has more than enough money to throw around. Unfortunately he disappointed many who looked forward to making merry with him and who felt he should have thrown a grand party to celebrate his birthday, for being alive and for still being a force to still reckon with in Nigeria’s polity.

Many have adduced his reason for not wanting to make merry, to the death of his older brother, Chief Williams Ibori, the former Unugbrogo of Oghara kingdom, Delta State. His died last month from a yet to be disclosed ailment. His death came less than four months after getting married to his younger bride traditionally in Ogharefe, Ethiope west local government area of Delta state and a few weeks to his 60^th birthday. The low-key wedding which was done in March 2018, was attended by family and friends.

That James Ibori was devastated at the news of his brother’s death would be putting it mildly especially as both were quite close, with the older Ibori being the younger’s confidant. Little wonder the former governor has been ensconced in Oghara his home town for a while and has not been seen making appearances at high profile parties, his favourite past time since his release. So it is understandable why the Delta State kingmaker preferred to honour the memory of his late brother rather than to revel.