A pro-Niger Delta group, Egbesu Brotherhood, has described High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as the best man to handle pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta.
This was contained in a statement signed by the groups Deputy Leader, Priest Ellington Bakumor, in Warri, on Thursday.
Bakumor was reacting to claims by the Arewa Youths Assembly that the revered Niger Delta warlord was not fit to be entrusted with the nation’s natural resources.
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In a statement by its leader, Abdulsalam Mohammed-Kazeem, the Arewa youth group warned the federal government and the NNPC Limited to refrain from considering Tompolo for a contract of such magnitude.
However, the Egbesu Brotherhood in a swift response has described the claims by the Arewa Youths Assembly as ‘meaningless’.
Bakumor insisted that the accusations raised were “sponsored by elements and conflict merchants.
He said the Niger Delta was the most peaceful region in the country in recent times owing to the peacemaking efforts by Tompolo and other leaders in the region.
The statement reads in full;
“We woke up to the news of some unscrupulous group calling on the Federal Government not to award pipeline surveillance contract to TomPolo.
“We took out time to go through the sentimental press release and found that it was based on unfounded accusations that does not make any sense.
“No doubt Mr President is well abreast with security reports around the nation and he is also in the know of TomPolo’s contribution to the peace and security that the Niger Delta region has enjoyed through out his regime.
“The Niger Delta is the most stable and peaceful region in recent times and the president knows the effort that these leaders, TomPolo in particular has contributed immensely to achieve that.
“The accusations of this group are clearly sponsored by unfriendly elements and conflict merchants who survive by causing conflict and commotion in the region and who only seek to cause more mayhem.
“We want to thank Mr president for his proactive steps in ensuring that there is more peace in the Niger Delta water ways by considering TomPolo and extending a hand of fellowship and friendship to him.
“He has selflessly been the peacekeeper of the waterways and the Niger Delta in general. We urge Mr President to ignore calls from mischief makers as their motive is to lead the region into another round of restiveness and chaos.”
Don’t Award Pipelines Surveillance Contract to Tompolo, Arewa Youths Tell Buhari
