Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta State has expressed optimism that former Governor of the state, James Ibori will join the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
On April 23, Oborevwori and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bigwigs in Delta state, defected to the APC.
Oborevwori spoke on Tuesday during a vigil mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Otu-Jeremi, in Ughelli South LGA, held in honour of Amos Utuama, former deputy governor of Delta.
“We can only say the truth. If you are sentimental, the family will break, the centre cannot hold,” Oborevwori said.
“I didn’t want to speak here, but our bishop said ‘speak, so people will hear’.
“So that when our leader leaves here and goes home, you will see your (political) family, today is scattered, and when you go to Abuja, you won’t speak in different voices.
“You are speaking here, other people are speaking here, so you will sleep well. It is now the time for you to lead us well.
“You know, you must talk to your elders and seek counsel from the elders.
“When you are leading your children, some are in APC, some are in Labour Party, some are here, and I asked him (Ibori), ‘when is he going to join us?’ And I know he will join us very soon in APC. I will receive our leader in Jesus name.”
Addressing Ibori, the governor said: “You have created a big family, and the family needs to be united.”
Paying glowing tribute to the late Prof. Amos Utuama, the Governor highlighted his selfless contributions, saying; “I am very happy to be here today, seeing this large gathering for one man. The preaching today is not about the dead, it is about the living.
“There are many things he did while he was alive. I will mention just a few key ones. The land allocated to him in Asaba while he was Deputy Governor, he donated it to the Catholic Church and also contributed to building the church. To me, that is a kingdom investment.”
Governor Oborevwori prayed that the passing of the late Prof. Utuama would bring peace and unity to Ughelli South and the entire Urhobo nation.
He extolled Utuama’s virtues, noting that he lived a purposeful life: “He lived well and died well.”
In his exhortation, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Warri, Most Rev. Anthony Ewherido condoled with the family and urged them to uphold his legacy of godliness, humility, charity, and selflessness.
