The Ibe-Ebidouwei of the Ijaw Nation and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has dismissed a trending social media report linking him to a 21-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over the continued detention of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement signed by his media consultant, Paul Bebenimibo, and made available to journalists in Warri on Sunday, Tompolo denied any involvement in the matter.
The statement reads, “High Chief Ekpemupolo has nothing to do with the issue of Nnamdi Kanu. It is clearly the handiwork of Tompolo’s enemies, who are out there to discredit and pull him down because of his stand against illegal crude oil activities in the Niger Delta region.
“We wish to state unequivocally and unambiguously that Tompolo did not author the said publication. This set of people has failed and will continue to fail because he will not relent in carrying out his duty to totally eradicate illegal oil activities in the region.”
It further reassured the Federal Government of Tompolo’s loyalty, noting, “We wish to reassure the Federal Government, led by our dynamic President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that Tompolo is with him and will continue to support the renewed agenda of his government. Tompolo remains firm and reaffirms his endorsement of Mr President for a second term.”
The statement urged the public to disregard the report in circulation.
The clarification comes days after publisher and activist, Omoyele Sowore, led a protest in Abuja demanding Kanu’s release.
Kanu’s terrorism trial is ongoing at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice James Omotosho adjourned proceedings till October 27 to allow the IPOB leader open his defence after complaining that his former legal team, led by ex-Attorney General Kanu Agabi (SAN), had yet to release his case file.