OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Prominent Ex-agitators leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of IJAW Nation popularly known as Tompolo has accepted the outcome of the meeting between Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and President of Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, leaders of Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa and other ethnic Nationalities.
In a press statement signed personally, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo on Saturday, June 5, 2021 said that the outcone of the meeting was promise made by Senator Godswill Akpabio to start the process of the constitution and inauguration of the substantive board of the NDDC immediately (from Friday June 4th 2021), and that he should be allowed to drive the process to an end on or before the end of June 2021.
Tompolo stated in the statement that there were a lots of concerns expressed by Nigerians on the matter within the period of the 7-Days ultimatum, adding, “hence machineries were put in place for consultations among Nigerians, especially from highly placed individuals and organizations from the Niger Delta region, including the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
The statement added,”as I expressed in my press statement of Monday, May 31, 2021, I came into this matter because of love for the region and Nigeria. I make bold to say that I cannot be compromised by money and other material things.
However, the only thing one can do for Nigeria in this trying times, where all the six geopolitical zones are in turmoil, is to pray to God for peace and tranquility, particularly for the economic hub of the country, the Niger Delta region.”
High Chief Ekpemupolo aka TOMPOLO spoke further, “therefore, I welcomed the consultative meeting of our revered Traditional rulers from the region, Delta State Government, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) led by its President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, leaders from the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa and other Nationalities with the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio in attendance, at the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oporoza town on Thursday, June 3rd 2021. “
“The outcome of the meeting has been made known to the public by the Minister. He promised profusely to start the process of the constitution and inauguration of the substantive board of the NDDC immediately (from Friday June 4th 2021), and that he should be allowed to drive the process to an end on or before the end of June 2021. As it stands now, I have accepted the outcome of the meeting reluctantly. It is pertinent to state at this juncture that, I do not want anything to disrupt the relative peace we are enjoying in the region, he noted.
“TOMPOLO further added, “it was on this premise that I accepted the outcome of the meeting. The ultimate goal in this issue, is for the Minister to abide by the promise he has made to start the process of constituting the NDDC board now.
Government shenanigans must be put away in this matter as constituting the NDDC board is very dear to the heart of the people of the region.”
High Chief Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo expressed appreciation to traditional rulers in the region for the fatherly role they played in the matter, Ijaw Nation and Elder Statesman, Chief E. K Clark for his concern and intervention, Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Barr Kingsley Brutu Otuaro for their intervention, the President of Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, The Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral A. Hassan, Leaders of the various Ethnic Nationalities for their solidarity, Youths of all the Ethnic Nationalities from the region, Women groups and others too numerous to mention.
