Niger Delta leader and head of the Federal Government’s pipeline surveillance contractor, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, has finally spoken on the political turmoil in Rivers State.
He assured everyone that the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, “will be reinstated.”
Tompolo made this statement on Saturday during his 54th birthday celebration held at Aziza Temple in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
He also addressed recent concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s delineation exercise in the Warri federal constituency.
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Responding to criticisms from some quarters that he had turned his back on the Ijaw people by not speaking out on Fubara’s suspension, Tompolo reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Ijaw struggle, declaring, “I can’t betray the Ijaw nation I have spent my life fighting for.”
Despite his longstanding relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Tompolo reminded the public that the Ijaw played a key role in Wike’s emergence as governor of Rivers State.
He urged Ijaw people not to react to Wike’s recent statements, which many have interpreted as disrespectful to the Ijaw nation.
“Ijaw is no longer at that level,” he said.
Tompolo assured both the people of Rivers State and the Ijaw nation that “Governor Sim Fubara will soon return to office as Governor.”
“Talks are ongoing to resolve the differences between both Wike and Sim Fubara,” he added.
Speaking further, he declared: “I have sat on the throne of my father, and all that is lost will return to glory. The Ijaws will never be a conquered people. If Ijaws choose to go to war, the heavens will join us. I have never fought a battle and lost.”
He called on Ijaws to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu, saying: “Let’s continue to support President Tinubu. He will bring all the good things we desire to the Ijaw nation. He is not a bad person.”
Regarding the controversial ward delineation matter, Tompolo stressed the importance of maintaining peaceful relations between the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities.
“We and the Itsekiris are not at war. They know the truth. The Gbaramatu town of Omadino is 40 years older than all the Itsekiri communities. So why fight someone older than you? They know that if you put all the Itsekiri towns together, they are not close to the population in Okerenkoko. So, INEC only revealed the truth.
“For those instigating war, the Olu of Warri is a maternal son of Gbaramatu. So you see, we are one people. Would you fight your own people?” he asked.
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On the Rivers State crisis, Tompolo reiterated his commitment to peace and unity, “Because I have not spoken, they say I have betrayed the Ijaw nation, but I cannot betray the Ijaw nation. I have spent all my life fighting for Ijaw. But we have passed the stage of responding to Wike’s kind of statement. We are no longer at that level.
“I assure you that Governor Fubara will return back as governor. We are already discussing. Both he and Wike are like father and son. Before he became governor, many Ijaws were against him, yet Wike was instrumental to his emergence, just like we also supported Wike.
“And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all. We will dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again Fubara will return to his seat.”
He also issued a strong warning regarding Bayelsa State, “But you see that Bayelsa—as we are all here—our eyes are there. That is our home. If you try Bayelsa, you will die. Governor Diri and I may differ in opinion, but we are Ijaws. Bayelsa is the home of all Ijaws.
“Those who are still carrying guns against their fellow Ijaws, it’s time to love ourselves.”
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