Government Ekpemupolo, the ex-militant leader popularly known as Tompolo, has said that he would not involve in the destruction of oil pipelines in order to settle scores.
He made this remark just as he dissociated himself from the threat by Niger Delta Avenger to resume hostility by destroying oil pipelines.
Following last week threat by the Niger Delta Avenger, many have concluded that the group was showing solidarity with Tompolo who is being tried for financial misappropriation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The Federal High Court, Lagos empowered the EFCC to seize all the assets belonging to the ex-militant.
But in the reaction issued by his spokesman, Paul Bebenibo, Tompolo said he had nothing to do with the threat by Avengers.
The statement reads: “The attention of High Chief , the Ibe-ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation has been drawn to media statements by the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA) and the Reformed Niger Delta Avengers (RNDA), accusing him of working with the Federal Government of Nigeria, thereby maligning the Niger Delta region on one hand, and working against the Federal Government of Nigeria as brain behind the planned attack of oil facilities in the region on the other hand…
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored these media statements by these so-called avengers and reformed Avengers because it is not a new tactics by these groups in bringing Tompolo’s name to whatever thing that happens in the Niger Delta region because of his legal battle with the government.
READ ALSO: Secession threat hits Kenya
“Let it be stated at this point that Tompolo is not the only person having legal issues with the present government. Let us also state here that these accusations do not take away the fact that our dear country is at a crossroads.
“Eminent Nigerians have repeatedly said in recent time that Nigeria has never been divided like this since her independence in 1960. It is our sincerely advice to the government to urgently address the issues that are trending in the country’s political domain.
“The Restructuring/True Federalism, Participation of Niger Deltans in the oil industry, the Ogoni clean-up campaign, relocation of the headquarters of the International Oil Companies, Establishment of Modular Refineries, Resumption of academic activities in the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko, and so on, are very germane issues that the government needs to address now, so as to shame mischievous elements in the polity.
“We wish to reiterate our earlier stand that nothing will make Tompolo resort to destruction of oil facilities, he once protected in a contractual arrangement. Those that have ears, let them hear!”
