By Abbas Nazil
High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has found himself at the center of rising tensions in Delta State, following a protest by Itsekiri youths that led to the shutdown of a major oil facility producing 28,000 barrels per day in Ugborodo Community, Warri South-West Local Government Area.
The demonstrators, angry over a controversial ward delineation report released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), warned against the use of Tompolo’s pipeline surveillance contract as a tool for what they allege is a targeted campaign against the Itsekiri people.
The protest, involving a large number of men, women, and youths, paralyzed operations at the oil site, which was recently acquired by Renaissance Africa Energy Holdings from Shell Petroleum Development Company.
Protesters alleged that INEC released a ward delineation report aimed at favoring the Ijaw ethnic group to the detriment of the Itsekiri within the Warri Federal Constituency.
They further alleged that Tompolo, through his security outfit Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, could use his government-backed surveillance contract to enforce these perceived injustices.
One protester declared, “We won’t allow High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo) to use the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to him by the Federal Government through the NNPCL to deploy more evil means to annihilate Itsekiris in our homeland.”
The protesters also demanded a total withdrawal of the INEC report and called for a new delineation exercise that fairly represents their communities.
In a swift response, Tompolo dismissed the allegations and distanced himself and his security company from the unfolding conflict.
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Speaking through Dr. Paul Bebenimibo, Head of Press for Tantita, he clarified that neither Tompolo nor Tantita is involved in the oil field under dispute. “Nobody dares Tantita.
The issue has nothing to do with Tantita and Tompolo,” Bebenimibo stated, adding that the Ogidigben oil facility shut down by the protesters is under the jurisdiction of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL), a security outfit linked to the Olu of Itsekiri, not Tantita.
Bebenimibo emphasized that multiple security outfits are involved in pipeline protection across the region and cautioned against dragging Tantita into a political and ethnic dispute unrelated to its operations.
He urged for peace and warned against targeting Tantita with unfounded claims.
Meanwhile, the broader political fallout from the INEC delineation report continues to cause division.
The Secretary of the Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Mr. Amorighoye Mene, described the INEC report as historically inaccurate and anti-Itsekiri.
He vowed that the Itsekiri people would resist its implementation by all lawful means.
Adding to the controversy, traditional chiefs and youth leaders from the Okere-Urhobo Kingdom in Warri have also condemned what they described as unauthorized political commentary made by Hon. Matthew Poko Opuoru, who recently addressed the media on the delineation issue.
The kingdom’s leadership clarified that Opuoru’s comments did not have their approval and should be disregarded.
As tensions simmer and stakeholders await the conclusion of INEC’s seven-day window for objections, Tompolo’s firm stance on neutrality highlights the fragile balance of power, security, and ethnicity in the oil-rich Niger Delta. END
