Ijaw leader, Moni cautions Itsekiris to desist from blackmailing, inciting Tinubu against Tompolo, Dr Otuaro

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Prominent Ijaw leader Chief Ebi Moni has condemned unguided attacks and blackmails against High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and Dr Dennis Otuaro, administrator of the presidential Amnesty programme by some Itsekiri fellows.

Moni cautions Itsekiris to stop inciting the federal government against Tompolo and Dr Otuaro, adding that it was not true that the duo were using the Tantita pipeline Security and PAP funds against the first lady.

The traditional Chief argued that such is a cheap blackmail and campaign of calumny by unguided Itsekiri youth, and should be ignored.

He also speaks against Itsekiri claiming Ijaw territory in Warri, noting that history had revealed that Ijaws were founders of the Warri and not the Itsekiris.

Moni further appreciated the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the comprehensive ward delineation exercise in the Warri federal constituency, noting that it should also stand against intimidation from Itsekiri and go ahead to complete their delineation exercise.

He emphasised that Tompolo’s and Dr Dennis Otuaro were behind the peace everyone was enjoying, narrating that there wouldn’t have been no safe movement in the riverine area if not that Tompolo made it possible, considering the high rate of kidnapping at a time.

He said, “For some years ago when I was 10 years old then, the market road area went down to Igbo market area, to Bowen avenue, to stadium road, to swamp road, down to Naval base, NPA and GRA areas were being controlled by the Ijaw people, the Kpesu side was controlled by the Itsekiris and the Agbasa side was being controlled by the Urhobos, so I don’t know why the Itsekiris are so greedy and want to grab the Ijaw and Urhobo areas in Warri?. The whole of the market road was known as Eselemoindi waterside, all the boats that come from Ijaw communities parked at the Eselemoindi Water, that was why the government built the market and named it Ogbe-Ijoh market. So I don’t know the problem the Itsekiris are looking for.

“They mentioned Dennis Otuaro and Tompolo, if not for Tompolo and the peace he made possible that everyone is enjoying now there would have been no movement in the riverine area because at a time the place was turning to a Boko-Haram Area, even me going to my community to sleep I’m scared because of the kidnapping, Sea pirate and different things happening there. This man Tompolo fought to stop all those things and now the peace everyone is enjoying is Tompolo.

“Talking about Dennis Otuaro, the people in the Amnesty before Otuaro are not even people from the struggle, different retired Army Generals, and they came and looted all our money and doing different things but since when Dennis Otuaro came things are working well. Why Itsekiri people are talking ill about him, I really don’t know their problem. Is Ijaws the problem in their lives?

“The peace they are enjoying in the river now is the Ijaw Man Tompolo that made it possible, if not for him that fought for it and lost some of his people in the process, there wouldn’t have been any peace and development in the riverine area, the place would have turned to Boko haram area like every day kidnapping, so the man is really deserved applause.

“The Itsekiris should stop the nonsense which they are doing. I don’t know if the Itsekiris don’t have leaders that can speak the truth. Don’t they have leaders? I mean all those big Itsekiri men and people that are enjoying themselves from Tompolo.

“Tompolo has really tried in bringing peace to the Itsekiri environments and the entire Riverine areas,”he said.