…calls on the presidency to distance itself from Tompolo to avoid international embarrassment.

In a desperate move to seek presidential cover over fears of being extradited to the United States or the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity, Mr. Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo also known as Tompolo has encircled the FCT with pictures of himself and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, endorsing the President for a second term and claiming to personally campaign for the President whom their Oporoza House made elaborate publications and abandoned during the 2023 Presidential election circle.

Tompolo, Dennis Burutu Otuaro the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Mr. Mathew Tonlagha, and others who have pending court cases against them for allegedly operating illegal detention and illegally detaining innocent citizens, kidnapping, human trafficking, human slavery and forced labour, engaging in terrorism and terrorism financing, extra judicial killings of innocent citizens and the killings and utilisation of detained citizens for ritual sacrifices in Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom In Delta State, Nigeria seems to have conveniently appointed himself as the Tinubu campaign manager for 2027 Presidential election.

At first glance, Tompolo supporting the president might seem harmless, however, he faces serious allegations related to private prisons, human rights violations, human trafficking, kidnapping, and murder. These claims have led to ongoing court cases where several victims are seeking justice for Tompolo’s alleged wrongdoings. Meanwhile, Attorneys in the United States in collaboration with the U.S. Justice system and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are reportedly working to have Tompolo and his associates extradited and face Justice, and with several legal actions expected to significantly increase within the year.

Given the magnitude of the cases against Tompolo, Dennis Burutu Otuaro the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Mr. Mathew Tonlagha, and others, the presidency should not be seen to have in any way associated with these individuals given the weighty nature of the alleged crimes levelled against them and the global implications for the presidency, especially Nigeria our beloved country.

Stakeholders across the Niger Delta region are wondering how Tompolo who could not deliver his hand-selected candidate for the Bayelsa state House of Assembly election in 2023, a simple constituency election, and also failed miserably to deliver his master and candidate Chief Timipre Sylva for the Bayelsa Governorship election in November 2023 can magically gain the support of his people to deliver for President Tinubu in 2027?

The Presidency must realize that Tompolo has on several occasion been rejected by his own people across the Niger Delta region, and he does not have the capacity, support, and good-will of the people to deliver for the President. In fact, Tompolo is seen to be making the President’s reelection campaign more difficult as people in the region see Tompolo as an alleged “Diabolic Monster” who cares about only his interests and has allegedly destroyed the lives of several innocent persons from the Ijaw and Itsekiri ethnic nationalities.

Tompolo is allegedly trying to use any connection to President Tinubu to avoid his legal troubles. Stakeholders across the South South region believe that Tompolo’s campaign work for Tinubu might be less about politics and more about ensuring his own safety to evade international justice.

Moreover, Tompolo's history includes connections with Mele Kyari, who was the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) before being sacked due to issues of mismanagement that hurt Nigeria's oil industry. Tompolo has allegedly been linked to several cases of illegal oil dealings, which casts doubt on his credibility to fight oil theft as being propagated across the compromised Nigerian media outlets.

Recently, the Nigerian Navy discovered illegal oil bunkering sites in areas that were supposedly monitored by Tompolo's security services. These sites were found in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, an area that is directly under Tompolo's watch. This discovery has led the public to question how Tompolo’s security service could have missed such operations. Are they possibly involved in them? These pressing questions need answers.

Adding to the controversy, the youths of Itsekiri have accused Tompolo of engaging in illegal oil operations that extend beyond Nigeria's borders. They are demanding that the federal government investigate these claims.

As the government navigates these serious accusations, it's clear that linking up with Tompolo is risky. The Presidency needs to understand that any association with Tompolo could harm the administration's reputation. It sends a concerning message to both Nigerian citizens and international observers, implying either complicity in wrongdoing or a lack of concern for serious global allegations.

The good news is that Tompolo’s past cannot be hidden behind political ties. The Nigerian government and its judicial system must respond to these serious allegations. If they do not, civil society, supported by international activists are prepared to ensure that justice is served and that Tompolo and his gang are held accountable for his actions.

Engineer Jude Gbaboyor, writing from the Niger Delta region.