21 January 2016, Benin -A socio-cultural organisation in the Niger Delta, Iwere Peace Movement, has said that the recent allegation by Itsekiri leader, Chief Ayiri Emami, that Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, masterminded the recent vandalization of oil pipelines in the creeks was capable of causing another crisis between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri.
In a statement by Mr Merie Oritsejolomi and Mr Johnbull Omadeli, the group absolved Ekpemupolo of complicity, describing the activities of Chief Emami and Chief Michale Jonhny on the issue as unfair “and capable of causing ethnic disharmony between the Ijaw and the Itsekiri.”
According to the statement, “We are aware that some miscreants in the Niger Delta, are the same people carrying out the vandalization of the pipelines because of their selfish interests in the recently awarded pipeline surveillance contract, the Escravos to Warri Crude Oil Pipeline, which has already been awarded to another company.
“We are aware of their protest because of the award of the surveillance contract to a company other than their own. They vowed to cause trouble in the pipelines so that they will discredit the company that has the contract. Fortunately for them, this incident coincided with the warrant of arrest on Tompolo by the court. They are now pointing accusing fingers at Tompolo in order to cause more trouble for him because of the developmental projects he has attracted to Gbaramatu.”
- Vanguard