The All-Ijaw Elders Forum has condemned, in strong terms, the self-serving and relentless pursuit of wealth and dominance constantly exhibited by Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo.
The statement released on May 3, 2024, was jointly signed by regional representatives of the forum, including Prof. Johnstone Salolomo, representing Bayelsa, Elder Alabo Senebe from Delta, High Chief Christmas Ekiyor from Rivers state, Chief Powede Kubor from Edo, and Deacon Chief (Engr.) and Hon. Oliver Clarkson representing Ondo.
They described Tomopolo’s inordinate adventure as a growing threat to the unity and welfare of the Ijaw people.
“We have watched curiously over the past 27 years how the insatiable lust for money and power of one man- Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) has driven the Ijaw Nation into needless bloodshed with our neighbours both on land and water, and also against the Federal Government in the guise of the Niger Delta struggle,” the Forum expressed in the release.
The Forum further asserted, “Truth be told, Tompolo has never fought for the freedom of the Niger Delta or the Ijaw Nation but for his personal enrichment and aggrandisement.
“Since the end of the Armed Struggle, only Tompolo has really benefitted and not the Ijaw Nation. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became Vice-President and eventually President because he fits the profile of the person President Olusegun Obasanjo was looking for as Vice to President Yar’Adua not necessarily as a result of the Niger Delta struggle.
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“Tompolo has continuously oppressed other Ijaws from Delta to Akwa Ibom because he is only interested in himself and Gbaramatu.
“In 2015, in Delta State, when it was time for the Ijaws to provide a deputy governor, Tompolo ensured that it was his cousin and right-hand man in the defunct MENDGbaramatu- Bar. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro emerged as deputy to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
“In 2023, Tompolo ensured that his cousin Emomotimi Guwor from Gbaramatu emerged as the speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. This is with the intention of Emomotimi emerging as the next governor of Delta State in 2031.
“Just recently, Tompolo ensured that another of his cousins and younger brother to the immediate past deputy Governor Dr. Dennis Otuaro emerged as the Presidential Amnesty Boss. One begins to wonder if this is the meaning of the Ijaw struggle.
“Currently, Tompolo and another Ijaw from Gbaramatu enjoy the Pipeline Surveillance Contract in Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers State. As if that is not enough, Tompolo is presently at loggerheads with a company from another ethnic group to take their own share of the surveillance contract hoodwinked gullible Ijaws that it is an Ijaw struggle.
“Tompolo’s Tantita is owing community workers over 7 months of salary, yet he wants to take another company’s contract.
“In the last two years, how many stakeholders in the Itsekiri axis, Urhobo axis, and Ilaje axis do Tantita pay money to? Why will you burn vessels when you could have handed the oil thieves to the federal government? Who has been jailed in this period of your operation since you said you are arresting oil thieves?
“We wish to let Tompolo know that we are not fools and if he thinks he has put a wool over our eyes, we want to let him know that the wool has fallen off and we can now see clearly.
“It is obvious that Tompolo can never get enough. He is never satisfied. Give him one thing, and he will go for another. Just as stated in the Bible in Proverbs 30:15-16, there are three things that are never satisfied. Four never say, “Enough!”: “The grave, The barren womb, The earth that is not satisfied with water.”
Tompolo can never say enough.
“It is high time Tompolo realise that he cannot continue to use the Ijaw Nation to trade his personal business and then put all of us in the line of fire because he feels he is heavily armed as recently demonstrated in Okuama.
“We will not fold our hands and watch Tompolo set the Niger Delta on fire because of his insatiable lust for money and power. Tompolo is giving the Ijaw Nation a bad name by his actions.
In conclusion, the forum issued a stern warning to Tompolo, cautioning against further exploitation of the Ijaw community and reminding him that he does not hold absolute power over their affairs.
“Tompolo should realize that he is not the owner of the Ijaw Nation and should never assume he now has absolute power to do as he pleases,” the Forum asserted, concluding with the proverbial adage, “A word is enough for the wise,” the statement reads.
