Former Commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has expressed his desire to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the Niger Delta crisis so as to tell him “my side of the numerous stories you have been inundated about me.”
Tompolo, in an open letter to the President, revealed himself as the Chief Priest of Egbesu Shrine, which is the traditional worship centre of the Gbaramatu people, lamenting that the military had not returned his symbol of authority removed from the traditional temple about a month ago.
The ex-militant leader hinted that it was in the interest of the nation for the Buhari to employ dialogue, stressing that he should learn from the 2009 invasion of Gbaramatu kingdom and the resultant offer of amnesty by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua when military option failed.
The open letter reads in part, “Mr President sir, please permit me to quickly recall a similar incident that occurred in May, 2009, when this same military invaded several communities in Gbaramatu kingdom, under the command of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
“Traditional worship centres were desecrated, property were looted and above all, the multi-billion naira ultra-modern magnificent palace of the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom was burned down, and his golden crown was stolen by the military.”
While recalling the 2009 invasion, Tompolo lamented the failure of the Federal Government to pay the N99bn compensation to the embattled community as was directed by the court.
Tompolo noted that the kingdom approached the courts and demanded compensation for the unlawful invasion and destruction of property because of their peaceful disposition and belief in the rule of law.
“After seven years of that sad incident, the Federal Government is yet to pay the compensation. This incident also led to the declaration of the Presidential Amnesty …Read More
Source:: Nigerian Pilot
