Rivers: Tompolo Breaks Silence, Says ‘We’ll Dialogue And Fubara Will Return To His Seat’

Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), High Chief (Dr.) Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has addressed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, expressing his belief that suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara will reclaim his position.

Tompolo shared these sentiments during his 54th birthday celebration at the Aziza temple in Gbaramatu, nearly a month after the State of Emergency was declared in Rivers.

Tompolo responded to criticisms that he had betrayed the Ijaw nation by remaining silent on Fubara’s removal, asserting that he cannot turn his back on the struggle for the Ijaw people.

He acknowledged his friendship with former Governor Nyesom Wike but stressed that the Ijaw nation should not react to Wike’s unguided utterances, maintaining that they have moved beyond such insult.

He reassured the people of Rivers and the Ijaw nation that discussions are underway to mend the rift between Wike and Fubara.

Tompolo confidently declared that Fubara would soon return to govern, stressing the importance of support for President Tinubu, who he believes will bring development to the Ijaw nation

He said; “I have sat on the throne of my father and all that is lost will return to glory, the Ijaws will never be conquered people, if Ijaws chose to go to war, the heavens will join us, I have never fought a battle and lost.

“Let’s continue to support President Tinubu, he will bring all the good things we desire to Ijaw Nation, he is not a bad person.

“On the issue in Rivers state, because I have not spoken they say I have betrayed the Ijaw Nation, but l cannot betray Ijaw Nation, I have spent all my life fighting for Ijaw, but we have passed the stage of responding to Wike’s kind of statement, we are no longer in that level.

“I assure you that Governor Fubara will return back as Governor, we are already discussing, both he and wike are like father and son, before he became Governor, many Ijaws were against him yet Wike was instrumental to his emergence just like we also supported Wike.

“And just like l will not accept rebellion from my son, l will also not cause more problems, Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all, we will dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again Fubara will return to his seat.

Moreover, Tompolo addressed concerns about wards delineation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, clarifying that there is no enmity between the Ijaws and Itsekiris, and urged unity among the communities.

“On the issue of ward delineation, we and the Itsekiris are not at war, they know the truth, the Gbaramatu town of Omadino is 40 years older than all Itsekiris communities, so why fighting someone older than you?, they know that if you put all the Itsekiris town together they are not close to the population in Okerenkoko, so INEC only revealed the truth.

“For those instigating war, the Olu of Warri is a maternal son of Gbaramatu, so you see we are one people, would you fight your own people?

Tompolo concluded by appealing for reconciliation among the Ijaws and emphasized that their unity should not be compromised, particularly in light of ongoing tensions in Bayelsa State.

“But you see that Bayelsa, as we are all here, our eyes are there, that is our home, if you try Bayelsa you will die, l and Gov. Diri may differ in opinion but we are Ijaws, Bayelsa is the home of all Ijaws, those who are still carrying guns against their fellow Ijaws, it’s time to love ourselves”, he emphasised.