By Our Correspondent
Ex-militant leader in the Niger Delta Region, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo ( Tompolo) has denied media reports that four persons lost their lives in a boat mishap at the Warri River during his father’s burial.
A national newspaper and an online Newspaper had reported that one male and three females, from Kurutie and Ogulagha communities and the fourth person from the Northern part of Nigeria died in a boat mishap, weekend during the burial of Tompolo’s Father.
But the embattled ex- militant leader has made it clear that no such incident happened during his father’s burial, saying the burial was crowned with huge success.
Media Consultant to Tompolo, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo, in a press release on behalf of his boss said that; “The three days burial programme for late Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo, which started on Friday and ended on Sunday morning was attended by over 10,000 persons including the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr. Kingsley Otuaro, representatives of the speaker of the House of Representatives and other top government functionaries ended in a peaceful atmosphere.”
” Leaders of Kurutie and Ogulagha communities who were deeply involved in the burial arrangement did not even raise such issue during the ceremony, therefore the story is another attempt by enemies of the Ekpemupolo family to cast aspersion on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and other members of the family,” he said.
Comrade Bebenimibo added that;”The carnival like burial ceremony which was attended by the Ijaws from all over the country, the Urhobos, the Itsekiris, etc, was more of a unifying event. Sympathisers were adequately entertained with music, food and drinks, and everyone was apparently satisfied with the way the burial ceremony was planned.
As we use this medium to thank all and sundry who contributed in one way or the other to the success of the burial ceremony.
