Former Niger-Delta Militant warlord, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), has confirmed meeting with stakeholders of the Niger Delta and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Recall that Tompolo had in a statement last Sunday noted that the current scenario in which a sole administrator controls the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is no longer acceptable to the stakeholders.
He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the National Assembly and all others concerned to ensure a substantive board is set up within seven days or he will embark on destructive activities that will target crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the Niger Delta region.
Akpabio Secretly Meets Tompolo, Begs Ex-Warlord Over NDDC Ultimatum
Following his ultimatum, Akpabio on Friday met with Tompolo, at his Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom country home in Delta State.
It was gathered that the Minister alongside south-south elders appealed to the former warlord to soft-pedal on his earlier ultimatum.
In a statement after the Friday meeting, Tompolo stated that he has accepted the outcome of the meeting with stakeholders reluctantly.
He however warned that Government shenanigans must be put away as constituting the NDDC board is very dear to the heart of the people of the region
Tension As Buhari Gets 7-Day Ultimatum To Inaugurate NDDC Board From Tompolo
Read the full statement:
“I issued a seven-day ultimatum on the above subject matter on Monday, May 31st, 2021. There were lots of concerns expressed by Nigerians on this matter within this period, 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.
“As I expressed in my press statement of Monday, May 31st, 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 these 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.
“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.
NDDC Board Appointment: Militants Back Tompolo To Buhari
“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. 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.
“I wish to thank all our revered traditional rulers for their fatherly role they played in the matter, my father, ground leader of the Ijaw Nation and elder statesman, Chief E. K Clark for his concern and intervention in this matter, the 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, Rare 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 here. I say a thank you to all.
“It is my prayer that the needful be done to develop the Niger Delta region as seen in advance climes.”
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