WARRI- Former leader of dreaded Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the Ibe-ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation today (Monday) has denied allegations levelled against him by two militants groups that he is playing a double standard by working with the federal Government and at the same time works with militants secretly as brain behind planned attacks of oil facilities in the Niger Delta region.
Tompolo, through his media consultant Comrade Paul Bebenimibo made the denial in a press release made available to Daily Watch in Warri, said ‘‘ Our attention 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’’
According Tompolo ‘‘ 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. 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 does not take away the fact that our dear country is in a cross road. Eminent Nigerians have repeatedly said in recent time that Nigeria has never been divided like this since her independence in 1960’’
‘‘It is our sincere advice to the government to urgently address the issues that are trending in the country’s political domain.’’ Tompolo advised
‘‘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 to resort to destruction of oil facilities, he once protected in a contractual arrangement. Those that have ears, let them hear!’’ the statement said.
