High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has appealed for calm amid the ongoing protests by women and youths occupying oil and gas facilities in the Escravos and Warri River areas over the unresolved ward delineation in the Warri Federal Constituency.
Tompolo, who is the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday, obtained by Africa Investigative Magazine, AFIMAG.
He noted that since June 8, peaceful protesters from various communities had embarked on mass action at strategic oil and gas installations, prompting widespread calls from concerned Nigerians for a peaceful resolution of the dispute.
The protests are linked to lingering disagreements surrounding the ward delineation process in the Warri Federal Constituency, a matter that has generated tensions among ethnic groups in the area.
According to him, the Ijaw people have historically been known for their peaceful disposition and should not allow the current agitation arising from the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to complete the delineation exercise to degenerate into violence.
“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or to degenerate into violence of any sort,” he stated.
Tompolo urged residents to remain calm regardless of the circumstances and announced plans for an immediate meeting of community leaders to chart a way forward.
He stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together in pursuit of a peaceful settlement of the impasse.
The former Niger Delta militant leader also called on INEC to act in the interest of justice and take necessary steps to restore peace in Warri and surrounding communities.
He appealed to the people of Warri, irrespective of ethnic affiliation, including Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities, to exercise patience while awaiting the electoral body’s decision.
“We call on the people of Warri, whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo, to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing,” he said.
