By Austin Ogwuda
THE name, Ighoyota Amori is a household name in Delta State and beyond.
Undoubtedly, this man called Amori has carved a niche for himself as a heavyweight political figure in Delta State, especially, despite knocks, ruffled feathers but he has remained standing because of his unravelled political sagacity.
Amori popularly called the ‘odidimadi’ especially among the political circles, who turned 71 years today, is not only a dogged politician but very controversial as well.
Call him a stormy petrel, you are not far from the truth.
But one thing stands for sure: He has refused to jump ship by decamping to another political party other than the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP which he was one of the foundation members in Delta State even when he is not too happy.
A staunch member even when the rumour was rife during the last election that he was threatening to what the local parlance referred to as “anti- party”.
He is a dye-hard Ibori man and firmly believes in the Ibori political family.Infact during the eight years of Chief James Ibori administration in the State, Amori, although served as one of the Commissioners but was in actual fact a defacto ‘deputy governor’ because of the enormous power and influence he was swagging.
It came to a point that some of his fellow Commissioners then were surreptitiously passing through him to get their files receive the desired attention of His Excellency then (Ibori) popularly called the ‘Odidigboigbo’ of the universe.Ironically, when Ibori turned 65 few days ago, congratulatory messages were few.
One may ask what makes Amori still relevant in the political scene even though he can’t no longer dictate as before given the fact Ibori, his political godfather is definitely not in the good book of Oborevwori’s government presently, is baffling.
It is no longer secret that before the immediate past governor Ifeanyi Okowa left he made sure that he dethroned the Ibori dynasty and set up his.
And to test his resolve that his (Okowa) political family has come to stay, he stoutly resisted his former master, Ibori from producing a governorship candidate in the last election.
But Amori whether still with the Ibori camp or not, the reality on the ground is that he is in the good book of GovernorSheriff Oborevwori, period!
The governor, in a statement in Asaba by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, noted that Chief Amori, the PDP candidate for the Delta Central Senatorial District in the 2023 elections, is indeed a consummate politician and accomplished leader who has made significant contributions to the growth and unification of the party as well as the development of Delta State.
The statement reads, “The governor praised the gifted politician, known in political circles as “Odidimadi,” for his keen efforts to build bridges and described him as “a core politician and patriotic son of Urhoboland” whose passion for the upliftment of his people in the Delta Central Senatorial District was unmatched.”
The governor recalled Amori’s contributions to the growth of the state through his prior roles as Senator, Senior Political Adviser, Commissioner for Education, and Water Resources.”
We appreciate you for your profound and contagious dedication to our great party. the PDP.
As a wise chieftain of our party, you have remained clever and a great guide to many members.“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I rejoice with Chief Ighoyota Amori, a remarkable leader, a trustworthy and dependable political ally as he celebrates his 71st birth anniversary.“
As you celebrate this age, I am pleased to join your family, political associates and other well-wishers in thanking God for blessing you with strength and wisdom to serve the people of Delta and Nigeria.
“It is our prayer that God will continue to protect you and grant you good health to render more services to Him and our people”, the statement further added.