Tompolo Disowns Advertorials On Tinubu’s Birthday, Apologizes To Presidency

High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has denied any involvement in the placement of advertisements celebrating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 72nd birthday in Nigerian newspapers.

A statement signed by Tompolo’s Media Consultant, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, on Friday, said that Tompolo did not personally place any adverts nor did he instruct anyone to do so on his behalf.

Recalls that the Presidency had last week Sunday, urged well-wishers and friends of Nigeria’s President not to organise any form of celebratory event or place adverts in the media.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, attributed the President’s decision to the “challenging times” in the country.

“As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name,” Onanuga stated.

But on Friday March 29, a section of the media was awash with advertorial allegedly signed by Tompolo.

Tompolo’s Media Aide, in a spontaneous reaction, said that the Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, was not responsible for the advertorials, maintaining that Tompolo heeded the presidency’s decision not to celebrate the President’s birthday publicly amidst the current state of the nation.

Bebenimibo, in the statement averred that Tompolo wholeheartedly aligned himself with the President’s policy direction by collaborating with security agencies to eradicate illegal crude oil activities in the Niger Delta region, in a bid to maximum productivity and economic prosperity for the country.

The statement stressed that Tompolo did not place any adverts to celebrate President Tinubu, postulating that those responsible for the placement may have acted with good intentions but may not be fully aware of the current situation in Nigeria.

He, therefore, expressed deep regret for any embarrassment caused by the adverts and apologizes on behalf of those involved.

The statement reads in full,

“The attention of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited has been drawn to adverts placed in front and inside pages of some Nigerian Newspapers celebrating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at 72 years today.

“For the records, High Chief Tompolo did not place any advert to celebrate Mr President in the media.He did not also instruct anyone to do so on his behalf. This is owning to Mr President’s instruction that no one should organise birthday party or place advert to celebrate him in the media, as result of the state of the Nation. That such money should be given as alm to the less privileged in the society.

“High Chief Ekpemupolo bought the idea of Mr President wholeheartedly, hence heed the warning and instruction of Mr President. High Chief Ekpemupolo believes in Mr President’s capacity in working toward repositioning of the country for steady economic growth and prosperity. It is against this background that High Chief Ekpemupolo keyed into the policy thrust of Mr President, by working in synergy with security agencies to totally eradicate illegal crude oil activities in the Niger Delta region for maximum productivity for economic prosperity.

“We wish to emphasis that high Chief Ekpemupolo did not place any advert to celebrate Mr President. Those behind these adverts placement may have done this in good faith, but may not be aware of the consequences of their action. It is our position that it is a grave error and insensitivity to the current state of things in Nigeria.

“High Chief Ekpemupolo expresses his deep regret for this action and also apologise on behalf of those who placed the adverts, to Mr President for any embarrassment this action must have cost him. It is highly regretted.

Signed:
Dr Paul Bebenimibo
Media Consultant to High Chief Dr Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo
Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited