So, ex-militia leaders in the Niger Delta couldn’t agree on the need for a July 25 meeting called by one of them, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo. Specifically, a messy boycott by former militants, Boyloaf, Africa, Pastor Reuben, Shoot-at-Sight, Ogunboss, Ateke Tom, Farrah, and Jomo Gbomo led to the eventual cancellation of the meeting.
The reason given by Gbomo of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) suggested that there may have been more to the meeting than Tompolo claimed publicly. The MEND spokesman reportedly said the group would have nothing to do with Tompolo or any “assembly of dubious contractors and disgruntled elements.”
The mention of “dubious contractors” is easy to understand against the background of the $103m (about N21billion) maritime security contract contentiously awarded by the past Goodluck Jonathan administration to the Global West Vessel Specialists Nigeria Limited linked with Tompolo. The Muhammadu Buhari presidency, according to reports, had ordered the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to break business links with Tompolo’s company. In this context, it is also understandable that Gbomo referred to “disgruntled elements” because the loss of such a huge contract may likely cause frustration and irritation.
Of course, Tompolo defended his idea. He said in a statement: “The tension generated by the meeting is uncalled for, diversionary and mischievous as no evil is intended in whatever form.” The problem with his defence is that he sounded like one who was out to possibly terrorise the Federal Government. Tompolo’s words: “While some of us understand to an extent, the apparent delay in the continued payment of the monthly stipend to the ex-agitators in view of the seeming scrutiny of government agencies, including the Amnesty Office, by the current administration, same cannot be said of the majority of beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme.”
Tompolo continued: “While a few see the delay in the payment of their monthly stipends in the light of the need for the current government to settle in properly, others see the delay as a template to stop the programme. The expulsion of some students (home and overseas) by their schools and training institutions particularly has heightened these fears.” What Tompolo was trying to say in so many words was that the Presidency may be sitting on a powder keg.
It is thought-provoking that Boyloaf, one of the boycotters, reportedly advised the security agencies to be on full alert. The timing of the meeting was a big issue for the boycotters who argued that it was premature because the Buhari administration was yet to clarify its plans for the Niger Delta. Their position amounted to questioning Tompolo’s sense of judgement. Interestingly also, Tompolo’s move is believed to have been prompted by his perception of himself as the pre-eminent militant and militia commander in the region, meaning he is probably suffering from delusion of grandeur.
The intervention of Bayela State Governor Seriake Dickson, who proposed an alternative forum at a later date, ought to give Tompolo time to rethink his tomfoolery. The question is whether he would do so.
END
It is rather premature for this write to assume that there is division or start throwing spanner to cause division amongst the ex-Agotators as the case may be. I think that it will be prudent to wait and see how events unfold… unless you are only doing a master’s bidding.