NDDC Board: Akpabio in Delta to meet Tompolor as Militants insist on ‘no going back’

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, is on his way to Oporoza, traditional headquartres of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State to meet with General Officer Commanding, GOC, Niger Delta struggle, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo, pointblanknews.com can confirm.

Last Sunday, Tompolo gave President Muhammadu Buhari a seven-day ultimatum to inaugurate the governing board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, a development that triggered fresh tension in the region.

A source said: “He is already in Warri, he is going to the creek to appeal to Tompolo  to withdraw his ultimatum as regards the substantive NDDC board.”

“The move became expedient to protect critical national assets from being destroyed by militants.

“It is an exclusive meeting between the Minister, Niger Delta Amnesty Coordinator and Minister of Petroleum and Tompolo,” he added.

Meanwhile, a coalition of militant groups from the nine states of Niger Delta led by the Supreme Egbesu Freedom Fighters, SEFF, yesterday, said: “There is no going back on the seven days ultimatum handed by the foremost ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo alias Tompolo to constitute a substantive board for NDDC.

To this end, SEFF has urged Akpabio to call off the stakeholders’ meeting on the recent protests in the region and the looming rage over the NDDC  issue.

Niger Delta Volunteers for Good Governance, NDVGG, has also pledged its support to Tompolo on the ultimatum given to Federal Government to inaugurate a substantive board for NDDC or face adverse consequences.

The minister, through the Permanent Secretary, had initiated moves to stop Tompolo, from fulfilling his threat of a catastrophe in the oil region if the government did not inaugurate the substantive board for the interventionist agency by June 6.

An official of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, said: “The minister briefed the president on the demand by Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, which issued a 30-day ultimatum to government to inaugurate the board before Buhari’s last trip to France.

“The President asked the minister to wait only to behold another seven-day ultimatum by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, last Sunday.

“Buhari cannot be forced to act because Tompolo issued a seven-day ultimatum, they should withdraw their ultimatum and wait for Mr President because action is being taken already on the matter.”