Top political gladiators in Delta State including former Governor James Ibori, Senator James Manager and the Deputy President of the Senate and governorship candidate of the APC for the 2023 general elections, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, on Sunday attended the 50th birthday anniversary of the wife of Prince Yemi Emiko, Princess (Mrs.) Kathy Emiko.
Though Prince Emiko is a chieftain of the APC, several political heavyweights from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attended the birthday reception held at the Brownhill Colosseum, Ogunu, Warri.
Ibori and Manager were making their first public appearance since they lost out to the Speaker of the Delta State House Assembly and governorship candidate of the PDP, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who is the anointed candidate of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the primary of the PDP last year.
Both politicians arrived the venue of the reception together with other of their political loyalists. Their arrival took other guests including members of the APC and PDP at the event by surprise.
Manager, who currently represent Delta South senatorial district, came third behind former Principal Secretary to late President Musa Yar’Adua, Olorogun David Edevbie (Ibori’s preferred aspirant) and Oborevwori (Okowa;s preferred candidate) who eventually won the PDP primary.
Since the primary, Ibori and Manager have stayed away from PDP’s activities in the state and they have not also participated ongoing campaigns of the party ahead of the general elections.
Recently, top political loyalists of the former governor have been dumping the PDP for the opposition APC in the state. Among Ibori’s allies who have joined APC are former Speakers of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya and Rt. Hon. Olise Imegwu.
However, Omo-Agege was represented by his running mate and Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Osanebi at the grand occasion.
Also in attendance at the event was the member representing Warri Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi, and other PDP chieftains in the state.
Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, HRM Ogurime-rime, Ukori I and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwaste lll was represented by some palace chiefs.
Earlier at a Thanksgiving service held at the Redemption Hall Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Effurun, Uvwie council area of the state, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, charged Christians to show gratitude to God in all circumstances.
Ooni said: “The mere fact that you are alive is enough to praise God Almighty. God is real and that is why I’m here today to celebrate with Pastor Kathy; to celebrate with the family of Prince Yemi Emiko.
“In every situation you find yourself put God first and be happy. Today gives you an opportunity to make people around you smile”.
Remarking on the love between the celebrant and her husband, the revered monarch said it (their love) is significant of God’s goodness.
Ooni of Ife further disclosed that he is a “deeply rooted” member of the RCCG and hoped it remained so.
In a vote of thanks, Prince Yemi Emiko, who is an APC chieftain, thanked the Ooni of Ife, Ovie of Agbon, the RCCG pastorate among other dignitaries for gracing the church service.
He explained that but for an emergency, the Olu of Warri and Senator Omo-Agege would have been present.
Prince Emiko while extolling the virtues of the celebrant stated that his wife, Kathy, has among other life lessons, taught him the art of “sacrifice,” and has been a “stabilizing factor in his life”.
Garbed in a flamboyant gold-coloured attire, the celebrant, accompanied by her husband, children and other family members, danced heartily, as gospel songs were rendered during the thanksgiving proper, to God.
