146 
Ex
militant leader Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has written an open
letter to President Buhari, saying that he does not hate Buhari. In the
letter, Tompolo said that his support for ex president Goodluck Jonathan
during the last election was borne out of the fact that Jonathan was
his own person. Read full letter below…
His Excellency,
President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock Presidential Villa,
Abuja.
President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR,
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
Aso Rock Presidential Villa,
Abuja.
Dear Mr President,
โI
once again, deem it pertinent to write Your Excellency since your
assumption of office in May 2015. Mr President will recall that at my
meeting with you sometimes last year, I gave my commitment and pledge to
ensure sustainable peace and development in the oil rich Niger Delta
region and Nigeria in general.
once again, deem it pertinent to write Your Excellency since your
assumption of office in May 2015. Mr President will recall that at my
meeting with you sometimes last year, I gave my commitment and pledge to
ensure sustainable peace and development in the oil rich Niger Delta
region and Nigeria in general.
At
the meeting which I interpreted to be an ample opportunity and a
template for peaceful co existence in the countryโ, I made it known to
Your Excellency that my support for your government as well as my
commitment to a peaceful and secure Niger Delta region is paramount. But
I remember also that I gave a humble advice on the need for Mr
President to be weary of political cum crisis merchants, particularly
those who are members of your own party, the APC. That advice arose out
of the fear that most people who are members of your party, especially
from the Niger Delta region, who are very known to me, take solace in
evolving and concocting crisis to leverage upon.
the meeting which I interpreted to be an ample opportunity and a
template for peaceful co existence in the countryโ, I made it known to
Your Excellency that my support for your government as well as my
commitment to a peaceful and secure Niger Delta region is paramount. But
I remember also that I gave a humble advice on the need for Mr
President to be weary of political cum crisis merchants, particularly
those who are members of your own party, the APC. That advice arose out
of the fear that most people who are members of your party, especially
from the Niger Delta region, who are very known to me, take solace in
evolving and concocting crisis to leverage upon.
I
left the meeting fulfilled for three reasons. It was not because I had
met with a new man in charge but because I โhad an opportunity to air my
views on the way forward. I had also successfully dispelled an
unfounded perception that I do not want to see President you succeed
having defeated my fellow Ijaw kinsman and close confidant. Thirdly, I
did not use the opportunity of that auspicious meeting to arrogate to
myself, as having the solutions to all the challenges facing the Niger
Delta region.
left the meeting fulfilled for three reasons. It was not because I had
met with a new man in charge but because I โhad an opportunity to air my
views on the way forward. I had also successfully dispelled an
unfounded perception that I do not want to see President you succeed
having defeated my fellow Ijaw kinsman and close confidant. Thirdly, I
did not use the opportunity of that auspicious meeting to arrogate to
myself, as having the solutions to all the challenges facing the Niger
Delta region.
This
is worth emphasizing in the sense that aside me , there are several
other dissatisfied, disenchanted, oppressed and agitated younger
elements who still habour misdirected sentiments that I led a handful of
ex agitators to surrender arms and embrace the Presidential Amnesty
Programme in 2009, under late President Umaru Musa YarโAdua, without
immediately solving the myriad of problems facing our people. Little did
such younger elements appreciate the fact that there can only be a
process leading to the eventual succor โ for our people.
is worth emphasizing in the sense that aside me , there are several
other dissatisfied, disenchanted, oppressed and agitated younger
elements who still habour misdirected sentiments that I led a handful of
ex agitators to surrender arms and embrace the Presidential Amnesty
Programme in 2009, under late President Umaru Musa YarโAdua, without
immediately solving the myriad of problems facing our people. Little did
such younger elements appreciate the fact that there can only be a
process leading to the eventual succor โ for our people.
โNonetheless,
I displayed an uncommon courage to ensure the sustenance of peace and
relative security within the limits of my capacity and ability. Most
Nigerians, if not all, are aware of the role I played in safeguarding
and protecting crude oil and gas facilities during the last
administration. I am sure even Mr President is aware of this
development. As a patriotic Nigerian, I have never hidden my desire to
do what is just in this regard even to the extent, that I have incurred
the wrath of illegal bunkers and vandals.
I displayed an uncommon courage to ensure the sustenance of peace and
relative security within the limits of my capacity and ability. Most
Nigerians, if not all, are aware of the role I played in safeguarding
and protecting crude oil and gas facilities during the last
administration. I am sure even Mr President is aware of this
development. As a patriotic Nigerian, I have never hidden my desire to
do what is just in this regard even to the extent, that I have incurred
the wrath of illegal bunkers and vandals.
Attempts To Demonize Meโ And Ethnicise Niger Delta Issues
Mr
President Sir, even at the risk of being repetitive, kindly permit me
to recall the various efforts I have made to exonerate myself from the
perfidious moves by some elements within and outside the Niger Delta
region to always implicate me on any flimsy opportunity.
President Sir, even at the risk of being repetitive, kindly permit me
to recall the various efforts I have made to exonerate myself from the
perfidious moves by some elements within and outside the Niger Delta
region to always implicate me on any flimsy opportunity.
To
such persons, calling me, the man behind every bad thing has remained
the only avenue and pedestal to get political patronages. Although so
many instances abound, the recent spirited move to link me with the
nascent Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), a group that has claimed
responsibility for the various breaches on oil pipeline installations in
the Niger Delta region.
such persons, calling me, the man behind every bad thing has remained
the only avenue and pedestal to get political patronages. Although so
many instances abound, the recent spirited move to link me with the
nascent Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), a group that has claimed
responsibility for the various breaches on oil pipeline installations in
the Niger Delta region.
To
some around you, the only means of getting Your Excellencyโs attention
is to wickedly attribute the activities of the said group to me simply
because โI have a running battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission ( EFCC). This is the height of desperation and hypocrisy on
the part of such people.
some around you, the only means of getting Your Excellencyโs attention
is to wickedly attribute the activities of the said group to me simply
because โI have a running battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission ( EFCC). This is the height of desperation and hypocrisy on
the part of such people.
For
one, I have chosen to pursue my case with the EFCC to a logical
conclusion because I am yet to be convinced that the purported case
instituted against me does not have ethnic colouration masterminded by
my traducers. Since the case is before a competent court of
jurisdiction, I will refrain from making further comments on this.
one, I have chosen to pursue my case with the EFCC to a logical
conclusion because I am yet to be convinced that the purported case
instituted against me does not have ethnic colouration masterminded by
my traducers. Since the case is before a competent court of
jurisdiction, I will refrain from making further comments on this.
However,
โit will be in the interest of this great nation if Mr President takes a
painstaking study of certain political actors around him, most
especially those from the Niger Delta region. I bear no grudge against
any of such, but I am convinced beyond any doubt that they have taken
solace in perpetual misdirection and mischief as far as my person is
concerned.
โit will be in the interest of this great nation if Mr President takes a
painstaking study of certain political actors around him, most
especially those from the Niger Delta region. I bear no grudge against
any of such, but I am convinced beyond any doubt that they have taken
solace in perpetual misdirection and mischief as far as my person is
concerned.
I
make bold to say that there are several APC elements within and around
your government who see anything Ijaw as criminal and anti-Buhari.
Unpretentiously too, certain non-Ijaw ethnic merchants cum bigots have
expressedly displayed open hatred for Ijaws in the Niger Delta region.
Such persons have almost succeeded in warping a governmental mindset
against Ijaws, whether in or outside your government. Please Mr
President, this is a very dangerous dimension that is avoidable by your
government.
make bold to say that there are several APC elements within and around
your government who see anything Ijaw as criminal and anti-Buhari.
Unpretentiously too, certain non-Ijaw ethnic merchants cum bigots have
expressedly displayed open hatred for Ijaws in the Niger Delta region.
Such persons have almost succeeded in warping a governmental mindset
against Ijaws, whether in or outside your government. Please Mr
President, this is a very dangerous dimension that is avoidable by your
government.
Just
as your people supported you as of right, throughout the presidential
campaigns, โI do not think it was criminal for me to openly support one
of my own, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the presidency in 2015. I did
so out of conviction not because I hate you or because you are a
northerner. Afterall, most of my personal friends and acquaintances are
from the north. To cap it all, the memories of my robust relationship
with your Katsina brother, the late President Umaru Musa YarโAdua are
still painfully fresh and reminiscent of brotherliness.
as your people supported you as of right, throughout the presidential
campaigns, โI do not think it was criminal for me to openly support one
of my own, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the presidency in 2015. I did
so out of conviction not because I hate you or because you are a
northerner. Afterall, most of my personal friends and acquaintances are
from the north. To cap it all, the memories of my robust relationship
with your Katsina brother, the late President Umaru Musa YarโAdua are
still painfully fresh and reminiscent of brotherliness.
In
this regard, it is only appropriate to judge people not by what is
reeled out to the corridor of powers by their traducers but by their
deeds and activities. I do not think I have done anything to warrant
this needless mental onslaught that has been visited on me since Your
Excellencyโs assumption of power.
this regard, it is only appropriate to judge people not by what is
reeled out to the corridor of powers by their traducers but by their
deeds and activities. I do not think I have done anything to warrant
this needless mental onslaught that has been visited on me since Your
Excellencyโs assumption of power.
Finally,
I am compelled to say that these ethno-political merchants are merely
laying the foundation for an unavoidable crisis. They will be happy to
see a ravaged Gbaramatu Kingdom and by extension, Ijawland under the
pretext of looking for me. This is a very dangerous template such
persons are laying and it is only good for Mr President to deploy the
inner mind to stratify this unwholesome gimmick.
I am compelled to say that these ethno-political merchants are merely
laying the foundation for an unavoidable crisis. They will be happy to
see a ravaged Gbaramatu Kingdom and by extension, Ijawland under the
pretext of looking for me. This is a very dangerous template such
persons are laying and it is only good for Mr President to deploy the
inner mind to stratify this unwholesome gimmick.
Once again, I thank Mr President for having the time to peruse this letter.
Thanks and as usual, accept the assurances of my highest compliments.
SIGNED
HIGH CHIEF GOVERNMENT EKPEMUPOLO (TOMPOLO)
The Ibe-ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation
The Ibe-ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation
