The acclaimed Leader of the
defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger-Delta, MEND, High Chief
Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, explained, yesterday, that he summoned a meeting
of the militant group in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, because of the overpowering pressure mounted on him and other MEND
leaders by ex-agitators and other beneficiaries of the Amnesty Programme. The meeting earlier scheduled to hold today
has been put off.
Bayelsa State
Governor, Seriake Dickson, called for the postponement of the parley, saying he
would meet with the ex-militants to discuss the burning issues affecting the
ex-agitators.
A statement
issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel
Iworiso-Markson, reads: “Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has called
for the postponement of the proposed meeting of the leaders of ex-agitators in
the Niger Delta, earlier scheduled for this Saturday, 25th of July, 2015 in
Yenagoa by them. The governor will meet with them soon to discuss issues as
they affect the ex-agitators and others issues of overall strategic interest of
the region and the nation as a whole.”
The governor
called for “the understanding and cooperation of all concerned.”
Informed sources,
however, disclosed to Ashiwaju.org that due to the tension generated by the meeting,
some ex-agitators had already declared that they would not participate.
They,
nonetheless, expressed their willingness to attend a meeting summoned by
Governor Dickson soon to discuss issues as they affect the Ijaw nation, the
region and the country.
I was under
pressure to convene meeting – Tompolo
Tompolo confirmed
there was apprehension in Ijaw land over the continued delay by the Federal
Government in paying monthly stipends to the beneficiaries, adding that while
some of them, (leaders) understood the reason for the noticeable delay
apparently caused by the scrutiny of government agencies, including the Amnesty
Office, majority of the beneficiaries did not see it in that light.
His words: “While
a few see the delay in the payment of their monthly stipends in the light of
the need for the current government to settle in properly, others see the delay
as a template to stop the programme. The expulsion of some students (home and
overseas) by their schools and training institutions particularly has
heightened these fears.”
The ex-militant
leader, who is the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Izon nation is, however, flabbergasted that
a section of the media mischievously linked the meeting to the stoppage of his pipeline surveillance contract, even though
payment had not been made for the services rendered in the renewed contract, or
termination of appointments.
Describing is it
as highly provocative and despicable; he said he was considering calling off
the meeting, if anything, to show that he had no bad intention and would want
Niger Delta to remain peaceful under the President Muhammadu Buhari government.
Ashiwaju.org gathered that leaders across the region had called Tompolo, yesterday, advising
him to cancel the meeting, as the intention was likely to be misconstrued.
However, the
group of MEND, which refused to disband after Tompolo and others disbanded the
militant group in 2009, yesterday, in a statement by Jomo Gbomo, distanced
itself from the meeting.
Why I called
meeting – Tompolo
Tompolo’s
statement read: “I am compelled to clarify issues as they relate to the meeting
of the leadership of ex-agitators under the platform of MEND and other
organizations summoned at my instance.
“The nation would
recall that in the build- up to the Amnesty offer of the late President, Alhaji
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, there was hesitance on the part of most of Niger Delta
agitators until God in His infinite mercy granted me wisdom to provide
leadership.
“The nation will
also recall that under the Amnesty programme as inherited by the immediate past
president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, relative peace was enjoyed even as
security of lives and property was enhanced to an appreciable level. Also, oil
production increased from 700 barrels per day to 2.5million barrels per day.
Put simply, hitherto aggrieved Niger-Delta youths, who inadvertently became
agitators, upon the acceptance of the Amnesty offer, refrained from armed
agitation to face normal urban life,” he said.
He continued:
“Nonetheless, while some of us understand to an extent, the apparent delay in
the continued payment of the monthly stipend to the ex-agitators in view of the
seeming scrutiny of government agencies, including the Amnesty Office by the
current administration, same cannot be said of the majority of beneficiaries of
the Amnesty programme.
“To this extent,
some of us, particularly me and other leaders have been under intense pressure
from ex-agitators, commanders, individuals, parents and guardians as well as
communities who are beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.
“While a few see
the delay in the payment of their monthly stipends in the light of the need for
the current government to settle in properly, others see the delay as a
template to stop the programme. The expulsion of some students (home and
overseas) by their schools and training institutions particularly has
heightened these fears.
“Hence, I thought
it wise that a meeting of the collegiate leadership of the platform under which
we operated as agitators could be convened to appraise the situation and
possibly, explore means to douse the tension that is growing among the disarmed
youths whose stipends (training allowances and tuition fees) have been delayed
for months.
“This becomes
more compelling in view of the fact that as leaders of the platform that served
as midwife to the Amnesty offer, we owe the nation a duty to play our roles in
order to stem a relapse of the relative peace in the Niger Delta region,” he
said.
Tompolo blasts
media
Tompolo said it
was unfortunate that a section of the Nigerian nation and the media chose to toe the path of misinforming the public
and right -thinking people on the purpose of the meeting.
He said they
linked the meeting to “whatever decision the current government at the centre
may have taken in relation to the stoppage of the pipeline surveillance
contract, even though payment have not been made for the services rendered in
the renewed contract, or termination of appointments. This is highly provocative
and despicable.”
According to him,
“The tension generated by the meeting is uncalled for, diversionary and
mischievous as no evil is intended in whatever form.”
“We appreciate
the pressures being mounted by leaders from the region, especially as some have
expressed concern that the meeting could be misinterpreted to mean the
resurgence of hostilities in the region,” he said, adding, “We say, it is not.”
He asserted:
“However, we take into account the fact that having embraced peace and remained
supportive of various governments at all levels, including the President Muhammadu Buhari government, we are surprised
that a meeting of ex-agitators could prop anxiety. Hence, we shall ensure our
genuine intentions are reflected in our attitude towards peace, security and
development of the region. Calling off today’s meeting can also be an option if
need be, in order to strengthen our belief in a peaceful Niger Delta.”
Ignore MEND,
Itsekiri, Urhobo leaders urge Buhari
Meanwhile, two
Itsekiri and Urhobo leaders in Delta State, Chief Ayirimi Emami and Olorogun
Egbo Jaro, yesterday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to rebuff the attempt by
some members of the splintered MEND, led byTompolo, to distract him from
probing the Amnesty programme.
Chief Emami in a
terse statement, said: “Some of us are against the meeting because it is
uncalled for. For the last six years when Tompolo enjoyed juicy contracts from
the Federal Government through NIMASA, pipeline surveillance, maritime security
and other forms of undue favours, why didn’t he convene such a meeting? I must
use this opportunity to stress once more that Niger Delta does not belong to
one ethnic nationality.”
“Members of the
fractured MEND have been granted amnesty long ago by the Federal Government and
whatever the agenda of that meeting
should be disregarded by the Buhari administration, which has shown
absolute focus. People like us are determined to give the Buhari administration
total support.’’
National leader,
Urhobo Nationality Council, UNC, Olorgoun Jaro Egbo, stated: “The Urhobo ethnic
nationality of Niger Delta are seriously against the purported meeting of the
MEND as it is self-serving, misconceived and likely to bring the peace we now
enjoy into disarray.”
“We must strongly
warn the so-called commanders of MEND that their properties in Urhobo land will
be in serious jeopardy if they go ahead with the meeting. We fully support the
President Muhammadu Buhari administration. The Urhobo will resist any attempt
by MEND and their co-travellers if they resort to arms,” he added.