A sociopolitical group, Niger Delta Concerned Stakeholders for Accountable Security and Progress (NDCSASP) has condemned what they described as unwarranted attack of words on High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo by some persons in the Niger Delta region.
Oritsejuemikoma Kelly Nanna and Jude Gbaboyor recently attacked and criticized the Niger Delta ex-militant, Tompolo with Nanna explicitly dragging Tompolo’s daughter into the insult.
In a widely circulated social media post, Nanna targeted Tompolo’s family directly, stating that “Tompolo’s daughter should be ashamed to have an abductor, liar, oppressor, sea pirate, and criminal as a father.”
Nanna further criticized the federal government for awarding multi-billion naira pipeline surveillance contracts to Tompolo, comparing it to hiring a known criminal to head security agencies.
Also, Jude Gbaboyor released a public statement, urging president Bola Tinubu to probe Tompolo, accusing Tompolo and his network, Tantita Security Services of operating with impunity, unlawful detentions, and human rights abuses in Delta and Bayelsa states.
Reacting to the allegations, the Niger Delta group described the attacks on Tompolo and his family as “a naked macabre dance of shame by disgruntled oil buccaneers, and not criticism.
In a statement signed by its leader, Inisuo Oruomoni, the group further described the vituperation as pure hatred, tribal bigotry, and an attack on Ijaw dignity and on Mr. president’s judgment.
The group said “they have moved from “contract” to insulting a father, a daughter, an entire ethnic group, and the Presidency. This is the frustration of people whose illegal business died when the gunboats arrived.
“Our attention has been drawn to the pathetic, insulting, and tribal statements by Oritsejuemikoma Kelly Nanna and Osahon Omorodion against High Chief Dr Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, the Ijaw Nation, and the Federal Government.
“We are ashamed as Niger Deltans that our sons have degenerated to this level.
“To bring a man’s daughter into public debate because you lost a contract is the height of cowardice. Ijaw culture and Itsekiri culture both teach us to respect elders and to protect women and children. That statement by Nanna is not culture. It is sacrilege.
“If you have issues with Tompolo, face him in court. Leave his daughter out of your bitterness. Nigeria is governed by law, not by Facebook courts.
“High Chief Dr Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo accepted the Presidential Amnesty and was reintegrated, and is today working with the Federal Government, NSA, NNPC, Navy, and Army.
“Those gunboats he donated are the same boats chasing thieves in our creeks today. If he was a criminal, why is the Nigerian government working with him to secure Nigeria’s oil?
“The comparison to Anini is not just stupid, it is treasonous. It is an insult to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our security agencies. Osahon Omorodion is right about one thing: Nigeria has a moral problem. But the moral problem is when educated men sit down to write tribal hate because their pocket is dry.
“The Ijaw Nation does not celebrate crime. We celebrate peace. We celebrate Joshua McIver of Ologbobiri and Pastor Reuben of Kuluoma who have jobs today. We celebrate the fact that our rivers are cleaner and our youths are employed.
“Do not use “God” and “integrity” to cover envy. God sees the heart.
“Since the “President Tinubu Door to Door” inauguration and the donation of gunboats to the Military, oil theft has reduced. Their income has stopped.
That is why they are bitter. That is why they now attack fathers, daughters, and entire ethnic groups.
“This is not activism. This is a paid job to destabilize the Niger Delta. We therefore call on Gov Sheriff Oborevwori, Gov Douye Diri, and security agencies to call these tribal merchants to order.”
They called on Amnesty International and the media to stop amplifying hate speech that could cause Ijaw-Itsekiri crisis.
“We call on the NBA to investigate if lawyers can make “abductor, criminal” claims without evidence,” the statement said.
They described Tompolo as a disciplined, selfless son of the Niger Delta whose name should not be dragged to the mud under any guise, adding that any attempt to bring his hard earned reputation to disrepute would be resisted.
“He’s ruthful, earless but he fears God and holds human life sacrosanct. That is why he chose amnesty over violence.
The Ijaw Nation will not be provoked into war by keyboard warriors and tribal bigots.
“We choose peace. We choose President Tinubu. We choose progress. If crime was the criteria, why are Navy and DSS working with him? (Tompolo)
“Take your evidence to court. Stop insulting women. To Osahon, you are correct that Nigeria rewards criminals. That is why we are happy the gunboats stopped your own criminal friends.
“Jealousy is not activism. Hatred is not human rights. Show evidence or apologize to Ijaw and Itsekiri people.” This is madness. Pure madness. From delineation, private prisons, kidnapping across state lines and now insulting fathers and daughters. The dogs are backing because the caravan is moving
“When they lost the argument on facts, they lost their minds too. Because the two things that broke them happened this month:
“The Abuja “Tinubu Door to Door” inauguration Tompolo stood with Mr. President. That means FG’s trust is solid.
The Gunboats donation to the Military. That means bunkering is finished. Their cash flow stopped.
“They don’t hate Tompolo. They hate peace. Peace means no more illegal bunkering. Peace means youths are employed instead of boys in camp.
“Peace means Bayelsa and Delta money is going to development, not to guns.
They don’t hate Ijaw. They hate progress.
“The moment Ijaw sons started getting contracts, jobs, and recognition nationally, the tribal bigots came out. If it was another tribe, they would call it “merit.”
“That is why we chose amnesty and development. Every time Tompolo does something patriotic for Nigeria, these men release propaganda 48 hours later. Let Nigerians see the pattern. Show evidence of the private prison. Show us the FIR. Show us the victims,” the group queried.
We called on the Department of State Security (DSS), the Police, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to call the duo to order to avoid ethnic crisis.
