*OBIARUKU/Nigeria* :

Amidst the political horse trading in Ukwuani LGA, ahead of the forthcoming Delta State Local Government elections, the Equity Forum, a coalition spanning the two major political blocks in the LGA, has elected Barr. Richard Okolocha as it’s preferred chairmanship candidate to contest the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, primary election.

The Mock Primary election to determine the potential Chairmanship candidate was conducted after a rigorous selection process, which saw the legal luminary, Barrister Richard Okolocha emerging victorious with 11 votes and securing his candidacy for the group’s Chairmanship position.

Indeed, as the 2024 Local Government Area Elections loom in Delta State, political maneuvering have reached new heights with strategic maneuvers and power plays dominating the landscape and the battleground is primarily between the two main political blocks: the Akashiede Block and the Egbeoma Block, each vying for supremacy in the council area.

Competing against formidable opponents, including Mr. Chidi Oji with 7 votes, Mr. Basil Ishiekwene, 1 vote and Mr. Reuben Chinsunum 1 vote, Barrister Okolocha scored 11 votes to clinch the top position after the transparent and well supervised poll.

The election was conducted after the withdrawal of some aspirants which included Mr. Eze Edike, Mr. Humphrey Uzuakpundu, and Mr. Festus Okudibie.

The selection of Barr. Okolocha by the Equity Forum which represents the Egbeoma Political Block, is in anticipation of the heated contest not only within the local government but also among the political parties, especially at a time when the stage is already set for a robust contestation in Ukwuani Local Government Area.

In an official statement signed by the Chairman of the Equity Forum, Chief Eric Obodouku Anigala, and the Secretary, Pastor Osemeke Chukwuemeke, the group expressed gratitude to party leaders, delegates and supporters for their unwavering commitment.

The call to action by the Equity Forum was clear: Rally behind Barrister Richard Okolocha and ensure victory for the Egbeoma Political Block, in the forthcoming party primary scheduled for Friday, May 24, 2024.

Meanwhile, Barrister Richard Okolocha has extended his appreciation to party delegates and leaders for their faith in his candidacy, even as he pledging not to betray their trust and emphasized the importance of unity within the Egbeoma political bloc.

In a gesture of inclusivity, Okolocha called on fellow aspirants to set aside differences and work towards a common goal, stressing the paramount importance of serving the interests and well-being of the Ukwuani populace.

Dr. Barrister Richard Okolocha’s emergence as the Chairmanship candidate, signals a new chapter in Ukwuani’s political landscape and promises an election that will be fiercely contested, with high stakes for both contenders and constituents alike.

The Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF) has hailed the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for snubbing the moves to recruit her into the sinister plot to unseat the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.

NDSF fingered the Executive Vice President, Upstream, NNPCL, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, as the brain-behind the moves to unseat her boss.

NDSF said Eyesan had mustered contacts to recruit the Wife of the President into the unpatriotic agenda.

Stating that its findings revealed that the First Lady declined to give support to the nefarious mission, the group said the plan was to get the First Lady on board to persuade her husband to sack the NNPCL’s GCEO.

The emissaries to the First Lady were mandated to persuade her on the need to convince the President to appoint Eyesan to replace Kyari in the prevailing circumstances.

The NDSF, in a statement signed by its Leader, Chief Julius Daukoru, on Tuesday, said Eyesan appointed known Itsekiri allies of the First Lady, especially those resident in Lagos into the lobby group in the plot perfected to ensure her emergence as the new GCEO of the oil conglomerate.

The Niger Delta group, however, praised the First Lady for demonstrating an uncommon patriotic zeal by declining to be “used to execute the sinister agenda.”

“The reports available to us (NDSF) revealed that the EVP, Upstream, NNPCL (Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan) mobilised notable heavy-weights, especially the Itsekiri kinsmen of the First Lady in Lagos to meet with the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to persuade her husband, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to fire the GCEO of NNPCL, Engineer Mele Kyari and get Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan appointed as his successor.”

“We learnt that the promoters of Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan painted a fascinating picture of the advantages inherent in the appointment of her Itsekiri sister into the highly prestigious office, to the First Lady, especially the benefits and opportunities accruable and beneficial to her Itsekiri brothers and sisters in Itsekiri homeland in Delta State.”

“The First Lady reportedly listened to the emissaries, led by a prominent Itsekiri chief with rapt attention before she angrily turned down their request. We learnt that she also tongue-lashed and lampooned the delegation. We gathered that the First Lady told them that her husband enjoyed a pan-Nigeria mandate following her election by majority of Nigerians accross ethnic divides.”

“Our reliable sources hinted NDSF that the First Lady said having secured the mandate of all Nigerians, that it would be inappropriate for her husband to turn around to play ethnic cards by supporting the narrow interests being canvassed by some parochial interests groups.”

“The First Lady was quoted to have told them that Nigeria at the present stage of its development cannot survive if appointments into strategic position of authorities are not made on merit. She refused to be part of the ethnic agenda of her Itsekiri kinsmen.”

” She said her husband would continue to retain Mele Kyari on the job since he’s doing very well. She warned the delegation not to come to her office to propagate such such unpatriotic agenda in the future.*

“The emissaries left her office, dejected and traumatised.”

Meanwhile, NDSF has accused failed pipelines surveillance contractors as sponsors of the moves to replace Kyari with Eyesan.

NDSF in the statement further said contractors, who lost out in the recent award and renewal of pipelines surveillance contracts, especially the Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (IPNL), operated by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, are behind the plot to remove the NNPCL’s GCEO.

Daukoru, in the statement, said, “The surveillance contract for the Trans-forcados pipelines hitherto handled by the Olu of Warri’s company was terminated lately by the Kyari-led management.”

“Frantic and desperate efforts by Eyesan to ensure that his Itsekiri monarch retained the job was rebuffed by the management of NNPCL.”

“This has attracted protests by the the Olu and some of his sympathising gullible subjects, who could not differentiate private) business pursuit by their monarch from issues of general interests affecting the Itsekiri ethnic nationality.”

“To the extent one group hurriedly assembled by the Olu of Warri, Itsekiri Pipelines Surveillance Stakeholders was quoted at a recent media briefing in Warri, as demanding explanation from the NNPCL board for the termination of the Trans-forcados pipelines surveillance contracts.”

“Those who want Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan as GCEO of NNPCL want the job for her primarily to protect the Olu and other parochial interests in NNPCL.”

To this end, Daukoru urged Kyari to remain steadfast and undaunted in the midst of the protests by the aggrieved failed pipeline surveillance contractors.

He urged Kyari not to succumb to blackmail and intimidation by the angry contractors, saying the “antics of the failed contractors against Mele Kyari will fail like packs of cards because Mr. President is conscious of the fact that the NNPCL under the management of Engineer Mele Kyari, is delivering on its mandate.”

Prince Ben Obi-Okolie,  publisher of Anioma Newspaper, has congratulated a renowned Delta born philanthropist, humanist and politician, Engr. Fidel Onwodi on his new Year age.

The publisher made the congratulatory message in a statement he issued to newsmen this morning in Asaba

According to Prince Ben-Obi Okolie, “Happy birthday to  Engr. Fidel Onwodi.

“Sir, May your special day be filled with blessings, prayers, and abundant joy.

“Your dedication to humanitarian efforts in Delta State and beyond truly makes the world a better place.

“Here’s to celebrating you and your remarkable contributions to humanity.
Cheers to many more years of making a positive impact!”

The last may not have been heard about the recent sponsored protests in Lagos and parts of Delta against Tanitita Security Services Nigeria Limited as members of the Itsekiri Oil Producing Communities Forum (IOPCSF), on Wednesday accused their Royal Father, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase 111, of masterminding the protest against Chief Government Ekpemupolo, (alias Tompolo) and his Tanitita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

In a letter to the President, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the group alleged that; “Our revered monarch, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase III, was the mastermind and orchestrator of the cacophony, in collaboration with one of his allies, a notable oil thief”.

According to the group, failed Surveillance contractors were behind the Lagos and Delta protests against Tanitita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

They also offered explanation on why the Olu of Warri’s $3.9M monthly Trans- Forcados Pipeline Surveillance contract was terminated by the NNPCL.

In the letter signed by David Aniretan ( (Chairman) and Oritsejolomi Julius ( Publicity Secretary), they took their monarch, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwase III, the Olu of Warri, took him to the cleaners, saying that “Despite the $3.9M the Royal Father draws every month, many of us his subjects are in glaring want and abject poverty, while His Majesty rides on the latest brands of limousines. Our own royal father is only concerned about himself and his clique of Lagos boys. We are not factored in his activities”.

They wrote; “We are writing this open letter to you on behalf of Concerned Itsekiris of Delta state and most of us are among the over 12,000 Itsekiri workforce of a private pipelines surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo”.

“It is obvious and now an open secret that series of protests in Lagos and some parts of Itsekiri axis of Delta state to denounce and discredit Tantita Security Services Nig. Limited and its promoter Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, were sponsored by rivals who bungled their pipelines surveillance contracts and had their jobs terminated by the NNPCL”, they added.

The group claimed that; Those who carried placards were a rented crowd of gullible Itsekiri and non Itsekiris.In fact, are Itsekiri resident in Lagos kept in one place to be easily herded for a protest? It was a charade.Our revered monarch, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase III, was the mastermind and orchestrator of the cacophony, in collaboration with one of his allies, a notable oil thief”.

The group disclosed that; “The Olu of Warri’s pipelines surveillance contract was among those terminated by the Federal Government for non performance. He is dragging Tantita because part of the areas under the supervision of his company – Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL) were given to Tantita, Tompolo’s security firm”.

According to them; “For those without a clue, it is well to give some background. As a major trunkline, the Trans-Forcados Pipelines system carries between 200,000 to 240,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is the largest network of pipelines in the Niger Delta, second only to the Bonny Oil Pipeline system”.

“It serves the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Seplat Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Shoreline National Resources (SNR) in the routing of crude for export and domestic services.The contract for the surveillance and protection of this all important federal government oil assets was awarded to Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), owned and operated by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III”, the group added.

They further explain that; “The Olu of Warri’s contract was recently terminated by the NNPCL for dereliction of responsibilities, negligence and incompetence. The areas under the company’s sphere of influence suffered frequent vandalization of crude carrying pipelines – breaches that climaxed in uninterrupted oil theft, that led to billions of dollars losses in export revenue for the federal government”.

The group also wrote that; Yet the royal father pretended all was well. The federal government was however not oblivious to the lapses of PINL, owned by the Olu. Having no other alternative nor option, the hammer fell – the Olu’s contract was terminated.The national interest cannot differ to individual interest, be they royal.In performance appraisal – the NNPCL oversees the operation of all private security organisations handling pipelines protection work. It found Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, quite capable, serious and very responsible. The Trans – Forcados Pipelines network formerly handled by the Olu of Warri’s PINL, after the termination, was awarded to Tantita.vNo other reason suffices than the above, why the monarch mobilized his henchmen and foot soldiers – most of them based in Lagos, to crusade and demand the head of Tompolo and his affiliate company Tantita.The fake tears of the Olu’s hatchet men should not perturb the authority nor anyone. It is self serving”.

They advised that the ethnic card which the Olu now plays should be ignored, adding that;
“Tompolo and Tantita, have worked with the Itsekiri without discrimination .We emphasised here that Tompolo is our benefactor as he never discriminated against us in the management of his surveillance job. Out of the over 25,000 workers engaged on the job by Tantita, over 12,000 are Itsekiri, who are the subjects of the Olu. Aside that Tantita also engaged two prominent Itsekiri citizens, namely, Chief Ayirimi Emami and Mr. Godwin Ebosa as sub-contractors. Ebosa and Emami also jet home with billions of Naira every month, courtesy of an Ijaw man, Tompolo.

Here Is The Full Letter From The Itsekiri Oil Producing Communities Forum (IOPCSF) To President Tinubu:

ITSEKIRI OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITIES STAKEHOLDERS FORUM (IOPCSF)

FAILED SURVEILLANCE CONTRACTORS BEHIND LAGOS AND DELTA PROTESTS AGAINST TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED (TSSNL)

*WHY OLU OF WARRI’s $3.9M MONTHLY TRANS-FORCADOS PIPELINE SURVEILLANCE CONTRACT WAS TERMINATED BY NNPCL.

ATTENTION:

ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU
PRESIDENT & COMMANDER-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Compliments and Kind wishes, sir.

We are writing this open letter to you on behalf of Concerned Itsekiris of Delta state and most of us are among the over 12,000 Itsekiri workforce of a private pipelines surveillance company, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) operated by Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.

It is obvious and now an open secret that series of protests in Lagos and some parts of Itsekiri axis of Delta state to denounce and discredit Tantita Security Services Nig. Limited and its promoter Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, were sponsored by rivals who bungled their pipelines surveillance contracts and had their jobs terminated by the NNPCL.

Those who carried placards were a rented crowd of gullible Itsekiri and non Itsekiris.

In fact, are Itsekiri resident in Lagos kept in one place to be easily herded for a protest?

It was all a charade.

Our revered monarch, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase III, was the mastermind and orchestrator of the cacophony, in collaboration with one of his allies, a notable oil thief.

The Olu of Warri’s pipelines surveillance contract was among those terminated by the Federal Government for non performance. He is dragging Tantita because part of the areas under the supervision of his company – Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL) were given to Tantita, Tompolo’s security firm.

For those without a clue, it is well to give some background.

As a major trunkline, the Trans-Forcados Pipelines system carries between 200,000 to 240,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is the largest network of pipelines in the Niger Delta, second only to the Bonny Oil Pipeline system.

It serves the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Seplat Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Shoreline National Resources (SNR) in the routing of crude for export and domestic services.

The contract for the surveillance and protection of this all important federal government oil assets was awarded to Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), owned and operated by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

The Olu of Warri’s contract was recently terminated by the NNPCL for dereliction of responsibilities, negligence and incompetence. The areas under the company’s sphere of influence suffered frequent vandalization of crude carrying pipelines – breaches that climaxed in uninterrupted oil theft, that led to billions of dollars losses in export revenue for the federal government.

Yet the royal father pretended all was well. The federal government was however not oblivious to the lapses of PINL, owned by the Olu. Having no other alternative nor option, the hammer fell – the Olu’s contract was terminated.

The national interest cannot differ to individual interest, be they royal.

In performance appraisal – the NNPCL oversees the operation of all private security organisations handling pipelines protection work. It found Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, quite capable, serious and very responsible. The Trans – Forcados Pipelines network formerly handled by the Olu of Warri’s PINL, after the termination, was awarded to Tantita.

No other reason suffices than the above, why the monarch mobilized his henchmen and foot soldiers – most of them based in Lagos, to crusade and demand the head of Tompolo and his affiliate company Tantita.

The fake tears of the Olu’s hatchet men should not perturb the authority nor anyone. It is self serving.

Despite the $3.9M the Royal Father draws every month, many of us his subjects are in glaring want and abject poverty, while His Magesty rides on the latest brands of limousines.

No Itsekiri is in his employment, nor a sub – contractor to him. And no Itsekiri is even aware he presides over a mega contract that rewards him millions of dollars every month.

The $3.9 million monthly Trans – Forcados payment to the Olu of Warri’s company, is not the same one as another non-performing multi-million dollars pipelines surveillance contract he also handles in Rivers State. That also is a monumental flop, another source of huge revenue loss to the federal government.

Does the monarch want supervisory agencies to gloss over his lassitude and reward him with more contracts?

It was uncovered that the series of protest groups masquerading as Itsekiri indigenes to discredit Tantita and Tompolo and drum support for the reinstatement of Olu of Warri non-performing contracts were the fallouts of a meeting hosted by a notorious oil thief and ally of the Olu of Warri, in Lagos.

In the meeting, it was decided that both Itsekiri and non-Itsekiri youths should be sponsored to disrupt oil production in various parts of the Niger Delta. This was to pile pressure on Mr. President to reinstate the monarch’s contract.

We wonder why His Majesty is taking out his frustrations on Tompolo?

Putting the blame of his contract termination and subsequent re-award to Tantita on Tompolo.

He knew fully well he failed to perform, hence the job agreement was repealed.

Failure is never reinforced

Tompolo’s Tantita is serious about its work, unlike the Olu’s PINL that was never on ground anywhere.

The operations of Tantita have been widely commended in and outside the shores of the country by stakeholders. Even the Nigerian Navy has acknowledged Tantita’s competence.

Out of the over 25,000 workers engaged on the job by Tantita, over 12,000 are Itsekiri, who are the subjects of the Olu.

This is because quite a chunk of oil assets are domiciled in Itsekiri territory.

Aside that Tantita also engaged two prominent Itsekiri citizens, namely, Chief Ayirimi Emami and Mr. Godwin Ebosa as sub-contractors.

Ebosa and Emami also jet home with billions of Naira every month, courtesy of an Ijaw man, Tompolo.

While the Olu held the contract, how many of his subjects did he employed?

It’s unfortunate that our royal father, who didn’t consider the wellbeing of his subjects as sacrosanct and create opportunities for them to live a decent life has ignited a fight with Tompolo, who is our benefactor.

We emphasised here that Tompolo is our benefactor as he never discriminated against us in the management of his surveillance job.

Our own royal father is only concerned about himself and his clique of Lagos boys. We are not factored in his activities.

Any attempt to bring Tantita and Tompolo would be tantamount to ruining the future of thousands of Itsekiri citizens working with Tantita.

Since life is about interest, we are not on the same page with our monarch on this. Our interest is paramount. We are with Tantita and Tompolo on this.

Despite the $3.9 million the Olu of Warri received every month, while he held the Trans – Forcados contract, the monarch never for a day thought about the magnitude, scope and requirements, needed to carryout a successful pipelines surveillance and protection work.

To him, it was a “dash” or patronage from the federal government, for his ancestral stool. So he didn’t feel obligated to doing anything.

In light of the above, we use this opportunity to appeal to the management of NNPCL to extend the gavel to the Olu’s pipelines contracts in Rivers State, in case he fails to up his game by delivering on the job.

Like the Trans – Forcados Pipelines network – they are neglected and have incurred so much losses for the federal government?

It is now the den of oil thieves in that part of the region.

The ongoing protests are mere abracadabra – stage managed to hoodwink the Federal Government to rescind its decision to terminate the Olu’s contract.

President Tinubu must not succumb to the cheap antics. He must resist all forms of arm twisting to endorse mediocrity back in the system.

The ethnic card which the Olu now plays should be ignored.

Tompolo and Tantita, have worked with the Itsekiri without discrimination. He has empowered our brothers as sub contractors and employed thousands as field operatives in the pipelines protection service.

The Olu of Warri should also open his books to unveil the Itsekiri beneficiaries of his surveillance contracts.

Our monarch cannot turn around to whip up sentiment against Tompolo after the termination of his undeserving job.

Our Itsekiri brothers should not make themselves available as ready tools of an insensitive monarch.

Why has Ogiame suddenly realised that his subjects are important? It’s because he has a business to protect.

The teeming Itsekiri youths that work with Tantita should remain steadfast and unintimidated by the Olu’s threats and blackmail.

The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic guarantees civic rights for every citizen.

They remain shielded, protected and untouchable by anyone, no matter how highly placed.

His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Atuwase III, the Olu of Warri, should devote all his time and energy to the unification of the Itsekiri Kingdom and subjects.

The Itsekiri Nation is presently bifurcated and polarized from diverse interests groups because of the monarch’s highhandedness, and constant absenteeism from the kingdom.

While he gallivants from one suite to the other at the 5 Star Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, in pursuit of mega contracts – he has no intention of executing, the ancient Itsekiri ancestral Stool he fought so hard to seize.

The stool is denied his warmth.

SIGNED:

DAVID ANIRETAN
CHAIRMAN

ORITSEJOLOMI JULIUS
PUBLICITY SECRETARY

A group, the Niger Delta Stakeholders Forum (NDSF) has accused the Olu of Warri Olu, Ogiame Atuwase III of using his company– Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL) to Pocket billions of Naira every month doing nothing about the Pipeline Surveillance Contract awarded to him by the Federal Government, but not so with Tompolo and his Tanitita Security Services Nigeria Limited and lambasted the recent sponsored protest in Lagos by the failed Trans-Forcados Pipeline Surveillance Contractor and the Olu of Warri against Tompolo and Tanitita Security Services Nigeria Limited ( TSSNL), describing it as misguided.

The Group in a Press Statement signed by Julius Daukoru and made available to newsmen on Tuesday said that the failed contractor, whose TRANS-FORCADOS Pipelines Surveillance contracts was terminated for failure to deliver and Olu of Warri, the revered monarch of Itsekiri, should not be dabbling in petty tribal sentiments and squabbles.

According to the group, their recent sponsored of a supposed Itsekiri protest in Lagos against Chief Government Ekpemupolo, (alias Tompolo) doesn’t befit his royal status, adding that it has become open to everyone that those who carried placards at their behest may not even be Itsekiri.

“They were a hired crowd, people oblivious of what is obtained in pipelines surveillance in the Niger Delta. If they knew, they won’t have involved themselves in that charade”, the group stated.

The group also said that; “For people not abreast with the facts, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase III’s company – Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), handles the largest pipelines surveillance contract in the region. The Olu handles over 80% of the surveillance contracts, while Tantita, owned by Tompolo handles less than 20%, and has a workforce of over 25, 500 operatives and numerous subcontractors.Those who go to equity should remember they must have clean hands. The Olu of Warri runs his surveillance contract in his Warri Palace, without workers in the field. He is not known to hire anyone”.

The Group alleged that the Olu pockets billions of Naira every month doing nothing, saying; “He doesn’t care and feels untouchable. He has no workers anywhere in the Niger Delta. Hence, the attendant high oil theft in the areas under the supervision of his company. More worrisome was the TRANS-FORCADOS Surveillance job, awarded to an Itsekiri man, an all of the Itsekiri monarch. This job was terminated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) due to non-performance.

The Group said that; “This all important pipelines was being subjected to frequent vandalism and attendant crude oil theft, until the NNPCL was compelled to do the needful in the interest of the nation’s economy. As security reports frequently reveal.This frustrated contractor is said to be the sponsors of the recent protests and staged-managed press conference against Chief Tompolo and his company, Tantita. The embittered contractor has been chasing shadows.

The Group also stated that the royal father’s performance in the contract is terribly abysmal, below expectations and they know it, adding that; “To him, money is everything, the people are just puns on his chessboard. The Royal Father runs PINL like a cult.

According to the group, Chief Ayirimi Emami and Mr. Godwin Ebosa, are notable Itsekiri sons who are sub-contractors to Tompolo’s Tantita, an Ijaw, pointing out that Tantita also have over 12,000 Itsekiris in its employment and payroll and expressed sadness that it is not so with PINL, belonging to the Olu of Warri.

Here Is The Full Statement From The Group:

NIGER DELTA STAKEHOLDERS FORUM (NDSF)

THE SPONSORED ITSEKIRI PROTEST IN LAGOS BY THE FAILED TRANS-FORCADOS PIPELINES SURVEILLANCE CONTRACTOR AND OLU OF WARRI AGAINST TOMPOLO AND TANTITA SECURITY SERVICES NIGERIA LIMITED (TSSNL) WAS MISGUIDED.

OUR TAKE ON THE PROTEST

When a man points an accusing finger at another, he forgets his other fingers point back at him. The failed contractor, whose TRANS-FORCADOS Pipelines Surveillance contracts was terminated for failure to deliver and Olu of Warri, the revered monarch of Itsekiri, shouldn’t be dabbling in petty tribal sentiments and squabbles.

Their recent sponsor of a supposed Itsekiri protest in Lagos against Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, doesn’t befit his royal status.

It has become open to everyone that those who carried placards at their behest may not even be Itsekiri.

They were a hired crowd, people oblivious of what is obtained in pipelines surveillance in the Niger Delta. If they knew, they won’t have involved themselves in that charade.

For people not abreast with the facts, the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase III’s company – Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited (PINL), handles the largest pipelines surveillance contract in the region.

The Olu handles over 80% of the surveillance contracts, while Tantita, owned by Tompolo handles less than 20%, and has a workforce of over 25, 500 operatives and numerous subcontractors.

Those who go to equity should remember they must have clean hands. The Olu of Warri runs his surveillance contract in his Warri Palace, without workers in the field.

He is not known to hire anyone.

The Olu pockets billions of Naira every month doing nothing. He doesn’t care and feels untouchable. He has no workers anywhere in the Niger Delta. Hence, the attendant high oil theft in the areas under the supervision of his company.

More worrisome was the TRANS-FORCADOS Surveillance job, awarded to an Itsekiri man, an all of the Itsekiri monarch. This job was terminated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) due to non-performance.

This all important pipelines was being subjected to frequent vandalism and attendant crude oil theft, until the NNPCL was compelled to do the needful in the interest of the nation’s economy. As security reports frequently reveal.

This frustrated contractor is said to be the sponsors of the recent protests and staged-managed press conference against Chief Tompolo and his company, Tantita. The embittered contractor has been chasing shadows.

If by stretch of the imagination, all those who protested on his behalf are Itsekiri – his subjects. Why is it that they don’t see anything wrong with the monarch’s negligence of duty in the pipelines surveillance contract?

The royal father’s performance in the contract is terribly abysmal, below expectations and they know it.

Charity should begin from home and not at the doorstep of another man. Are they applauding the royal father for reaping off the Federal Government in the surveillance contract?

In the first place, how many Itsekiri indigenes are employed by Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited IPNL, owned by the Olu of Warri? And how many sub-contractors of Itsekiri extraction has the Olu engaged or farmed out his pipelines contracts to? None!

What was the meaning of the Lagos protest? What was it all about? What schemes are up the monarch’s sleeves? Why would a royal father want to smear an ordinary citizen? Was it to malign Tantita in bad light and expropriate its meager share?

To hang a dog, it must be given a bad name. The Olu wants Tantita’s little pipelines contract of less than 20% cancelled and added to his lion share? But wishes are not horses.

It is alright for anyone to have intentions, but seeing them through is another issue. The Olu schemes will meet a brick wall. Government Ekpemupolo’s handling of his share of the pipelines contract has been widely commended by those who hired him – and by other relevant stakeholders.

Even President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, NUJ, Military top brass, etc. are happy with Tantita’s diligence and commitment to work. Tantita has not only delivered on its mandate, it has also provided jobs for the teaming youths of the region. And a large catch of Itsekiri youths work for Tantita.

THE ITSHEKIRI EMPLOYEES OF TANTITA PRESS CONFERENCE

The Itsekiri employees of Tantita completely rubbished the Lagos protest. They stoutly defended Tantita in a press briefing on Friday 26th April 2024, and appreciated Tompolo for his inclusive style of doing things.

Itsekiri beneficiaries gathered at Ugbodede Community, in the Warri South Local Government Area, of Delta State to counter the Lagos protest.

Fidelis Lori, Coordinator of Obodo, Opumami Cluster, and six other communities spoke at the press briefing, “We have contracts, we have those that are employed directly working with Tantita Security Services and by the grace of God, most of our coordinators are here.

“We are here to tell the general public that whatever they were saying were all misleading. Itsekiri communities to the best of our knowledge, we have been carried along.

“We’ve looked into that video closely, critically…. we found out that 100 percent of those that are involved during that purported protest happened not to be from Itsekiri indigenes, they’re not from our communities, the people you are seeing here now are the people representing Itsekiri communities.

Engr. Samson Uwatse, Coordinator of Tantita, Ugbodede Unit, covering routes along the Warri River added that Tantita has indeed touched so many lives in Itsekiri Land.

“We have employees in Ugbodede Community as a whole. In this community, we have women employees, elders, and youths who are partaking in Tantita Security Services, and they all have been paid every month.

“So, with all this together, I want to inform the entire nation that those people that are saying that Tompolo and Tantita is not carrying Itsekiri along are liars and the Tantita office is doing well in fighting oil theft in the nation. We the Itsekiris are here to support it fully.” Uwatse stated.

Another Itsekiri Tantita’s beneficiary, Kuyatsemi Collins expressed anger over the Lagos protest, stressing that they are not happy about the accusation, that Tantita is not giving employment to Itsekiri. Asserting, “We are here to say that it is not true”.

That press conference acknowledged the good will of Government Ekpemupolo to all and sundry. It exonerates him of tribal bigotry allegation as portrayed by the Lagos protest.

How much is the worth of Tantita’s surveillance contract compared to that held by others?

Mere pittance! Yet he spreads its proceeds across the region.

All the ethnic groups of the region are well represented in Tantita because of Tompolo’s inclusive policy snd the manner he accommodates everyone make people wonder if he makes profits from the contracts.

This is in contradiction to the contract held by the Olu of Warri. Despite its huge size, no other person benefits.

He is tightfisted.

To him, money is everything, the people are just puns on his chessboard. The Royal Father runs PINL like a cult.

And lest we forget, Chief Ayirimi Emami and Mr. Godwin Ebosa, are notable Itsekiri sons. They are sub-contractors to Tompolo’s Tantita, an Ijaw. Tantita also have over 12,000 Itsekiris in its employment and payroll.

One is therefore forced to ask how many Ijaws are sub-contractors to the Olu of Warri’s Pipelines Infrastructures Nigeria Limited?

And how many Ijaws are workers with the Olu’s surveillance company?

Certainly none!

The question is: what does Itsekiri wants from Tompolo’s Tantita?

One wonders why they keep stirring up bad blood.

However, some liberal minded ones are unhappy with the parochial worldview of their brothers who abhor peace and encourage the divisive tantrums of the Olu Palace.

Lastly, the Olu’s fake Lagos protesters, if they are real Itsekiri, should hold the monarch accountable for swallowing every proceed from his contracts, and not Tompolo whose activities are open like a book.

They should first remove the log from their eyes, before venturing to do so for others. They were rented to carry placards and should be ignored.

SIGNED:

JULIUS DAUKORU