By Cynthia Eruotor
Prominent Ijaw leader and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has appealed for calm among stakeholders in the Warri Federal Constituency delineation dispute, stressing that violence is not the solution to any grievance.
Tompolo’s appeal follows recent protests by Ijaw women and youths across Escravos and several Ijaw communities, where oil and gas facilities operated by Chevron Nigeria Limited were shut down on July 8 over what the protesters described as INEC’s failure to implement the Supreme Court-backed final report on the delineation of wards and polling units in Warri Federal Constituency.
In a statement personally signed and made available to journalists on Thursday, the Ibe-Ebidouwei of the Ijaw Nation expressed concern over the political tension arising from the electoral delineation issue. He noted that the Ijaw people have always been known for pursuing peace and should not depart from that tradition.
According to him, while citizens have the right to express their concerns, the ongoing protests must not be hijacked by individuals seeking to foment trouble or be allowed to degenerate into violence. Tompolo urged all parties to remain peaceful while the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) takes the necessary steps to address the matter.
The Tantita Security Services boss also called for an urgent meeting of community leaders and stakeholders to chart a way forward and prevent any breakdown of law and order in the oil-rich region. “I am calling for calm no matter the situation. I am also calling for a meeting of community leaders to meet immediately to enable us devise a way forward“, the statement said. He further appealed to the people of Warri, irrespective of ethnic affiliation, to embrace peace and unity while awaiting INEC’s action on the delineation exercise.
“We must all join hands in seeking a peaceful resolution to this impasse. INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore peace in Warri and its environs. We call on the people of Warri—whether Ijaw, Itsekiri or Urhobo—to remain calm and patiently wait for INEC to do the right thing,” the statement added. Tompolo emphasized that sustained peace and dialogue remain the most effective means of resolving the dispute and preserving harmony among the various ethnic groups in Warri Federal Constituency.