A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, High Chief Michael Johnny, Agadiwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South West Local Government Area, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to disregard those he described as mischief-makers calling for the sack of Dennis Otuaro, Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
Johnny, in a statement in Warri, said those calling for the sack of Otuaro were only afraid that it will not be business as usual for them in the Amnesty office, as Otuaro has vowed to stop any form of corrupt tendencies in the Amnesty office.
The Gbaramatu chief also condemned what he believed were orchestrated blackmail and media attacks on Ijaw National leader, Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo.
He warned against the attempts by certain individuals and mischief-makers to instigate other Ijaw kingdoms in Delta State against Gbaramatu Kingdom, noting that the misleading insinuation or allegation that Gbaramatu Kingdom is shortchanging other Ijaw kingdoms in Delta State for political appointments and federal benefits was not true and should be disregarded.
“For the records, Gbaramatu Kingdom has only produced the immediate past Deputy Governor, Dr. Kingsley Otuaro, which was a joint ticket with former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and the incumbent Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor. It should be made clear that Rt. Hon. Julius Pondi, representing Burutu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja, is an Ijaw from Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area,” he began.
He added: “The immediate past Senator for Delta South Senatorial District, Senator James Manager, is an Ijaw man from Akugbene-mein Kingdom in Bomadi Local Government Area, who spent five terms in the Senate. Also, another Ijaw man, Mr. Godsday Orubebe from Burutu Local Government Area, was Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“I still recall that when Bosin Ebikeme from Gbaramatu Kingdom was to be appointed a Minister by former President Goodluck Jonathan, it was Tompolo who objected it and insisted that Orubebe should be appointed. Till date, Gbaramatu Kingdom has not produced a Minister, Senator nor member of House of Representatives. Why the unnecessary envying and hatred against Gbaramatu Kingdom.”
The Ijaw leader of APC in Delta State said nobody should envy or castigate Gbaramatu Kingdom, as the sacrifices by Gbaramatu Kingdom in the Niger Delta struggle can not be quantified.
“Gbaramatu Kingdom lost over 20 indigenes that were killed and buried in the struggle. Property worth billions were destroyed in Gbaramatu Kingdom by the Federal Government. In 2009, when Federal Government attacked Gbaramatu Kingdom, only the indigenes of Gbaramatu suffered the lost. My 7-bedroom duplex was burnt down by the Federal Government in the Niger Delta struggle. Nobody gave me money for my house that was destroyed. I personally built it back.
“Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark has contributed immensely to the unity, progress and development of Ijaw Nation and by extension the Niger Delta region. Therefore, it is totally unacceptable for any Ijaw son going to the media to attack Papa Clark. Ijaw Nation respects Papa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, and it will continue to be so. Any insult whatsoever on Papa Clark is an insult to the entire Ijaw Nation and Niger Delta. Such will not be tolerated from anybody especially from fellow Ijaws,” he submitted.
He backed Tompolo on the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security Services Limited, warning that nobody should fight Tompolo for his private contract.
“Tantita Security Services Limited TSSL, is a private company, and Federal Government awarded the pipeline surveillance contract to Tompolo’s company on merit after following due process. It was not an Ijaw contract, the Federal government or NNPCL did not award the pipeline surveillance contract to Ijaw Nation, but to a private security company. So, why would fellow Ijaws fight Tompolo for his private contract”
“Interestingly, since Tantita Security Services Limited was awarded the contract, the country’s revenue from oil production has increased, and oil theft and illegal bunkering also reduced drastically. I commend Tompolo for being generous in handling the pipeline surveillance contract, because he subleted to other companies and carried more people along, including other ethnic tribes,” he argued.
He added: “Tompolo should be allowed to do his job and execute the contract, which he is doing very well even beyond expectations. The Federal Government and NNPCL have absolute confidence in Tompolo and Tantita Security Services Limited, and of course the entire country are seeing the results in the fight against oil theft being championed by Tompolo.”
He noted that Ijaw Nation is one and Gbaramatu Kingdom is not in competition with any other Ijaw kingdoms. According to him: “More so, Gbaramatu Kingdom will never take what belongs to other Ijaw kingdoms. Let us continue to leave in peace and collectively fight for the progress and development of Ijaw Nation.”
He argued Otuaro since assumption of office has shown capacity and taken the right steps required to move the Amnesty programme forward.
The Ijaw chief warned that should there be any break down of law and order, or attacks on oil facilities, the federal government should go after the mischief-makers who are fighting Tompolo and Otuaro.
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