Former leader of the defunct Movement
for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta
(MEND) High Chief Government
Ekpemupolo has raised the alarm that
politicians are out to tarnish his image as
the 2015 election approaches even though
he is not a politician.
The former Niger Delta militant, otherwise
known as Tompolo was reacting to media
reports that he had acquired some
gunboats from the Norwegian government
with the assistance of the Nigerian
Maritime Administration and Safety
Agency (NIMASA) ostensibly for the
policing of the nation’s waterways.
Tompolo who spoke through his
spokesman, Comrade Paul Bebenimibo
not only exonerated himself but insisted
that the latest onsalught was
masterminded by some Niger Delta ethnic
chauvinists.
“I am not surprised that this blackmail is
coming at this crucial time that Nigeria is
facing serious security challenges even as
the most decisive moment for the nation,
which is the 2015 election closes in.
“For one, the initial reaction was to just
ignore this cheap blackmail and forge
ahead with personal commitments but the
propensity with which these lies are daily
peddled requires that a bit of
clarifications is given to the Nigerian
public.
“Clearly, the intent of those behind the
malicious media report is to weigh me
down,paint me as someone with the
desire to wage war against the Nigerian
state by painting a picture of an arms
build-up in the Niger Delta as 2015
approaches.
“On the issue relating to the alleged
purchase of war boats, it smacks of
ignorance on the part of those who have
taken an ignoble delight to embark on this
despicable path; it is pertinent for the
ignorance of those behind this blackmail
to be exposed.
“The truth is that these boats in question
have been in the care of NIMASA for
about two years now. For the avoidance
of doubts, the boats are not warships or
gunboats as being erroneously spread by
mischief makers.
“The boats as acquired are neither
equipped with war arsenals nor are they
ammunition carriers. They are simply
boats equipped with modern surveillance
devices to track oil thieves and in the
process, increase the nation’s revenue
base through NIMASA.
“Similarly, Tompolo is not in charge of the
said boats as upon acquisition, the boats
were handed over to NIMASA which in
turn involved the Nigerian Navy in their
usage and operations.
“Perhaps, it is apt to say that this latest
blackmail could not have come from any
quarter other than some Niger Delta
politicians whose desire to enslave others
has not only failed but backfired. The
masterminds of this cannot cow me to
withdraw my support for President
Goodluck Jonathan.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Nigerians
and indeed the Nigerian media can do the
nation a big favour by contacting the
Norwegian Embassy for more details on
the boats in question”, Bebenimibo
concluded.
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