By – Aso Tambou and Turu Cletus aka John Esuku
The Niger Delta stands as the economic heartbeat of Nigeria, blessed with abundant natural resources and a resilient, industrious people. Yet, our region faces ongoing challenges that jeopardize the hard-won peace and stability we have enjoyed in recent years. These threats not only imperil our collective progress but also undermine our aspirations for a brighter future.
With a profound sense of responsibility, we, Aso Tambou and Turu Cletus (John Esuku), address you today as National Leaders of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum. Our purpose is clear: to call for unity, dialogue, and concerted action in resolving the issues threatening our region’s stability. It is vital that we confront these challenges with the wisdom, courage, and solidarity for which our people are known.
Recent events have brought to light attempts by certain individuals, notably Mr. Jude Gbaboyor, to discredit High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (popularly known as Tompolo) and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited. These allegations, which include claims of kidnapping and intimidation carried out by the Maclver family under the guise of Tantita Security, lack evidence and are deeply troubling. Such baseless accusations are symptomatic of internal power struggles and serve only to erode trust, destabilize the region, and tarnish the collective efforts of Niger Delta leaders to maintain peace.
Furthermore, the release of a video by a U.S.-based group accusing Tompolo, Chief Dennis Otuaro (Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme), and Mele Kyarri (Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited) of criminal activities compounds the situation. This group has called for investigations and threatened protests during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to New York in January 2025. While we recognize the right to express grievances, it is imperative that such claims are rooted in truth and not in malice or political maneuvering.
We urge Mr. Jude Gbaboyor and his associates to come forward and engage in open, constructive dialogue. It is far more productive to resolve differences through discussion than to perpetuate discord through unverified accusations. The Niger Delta cannot afford the cost of internal strife and division.
Should these individuals fail to heed this call for dialogue, we, as representatives of the Ex-Agitators from the First, Second, and Third Phases, will have no choice but to organize peaceful protests at the National Assembly, Department of State Services (DSS), and Force Headquarters to demand accountability and protect the fragile peace of our region before their planned protest in January, 2025. For 14 years, the Niger Delta has enjoyed relative stability, and we will not stand by while baseless claims threaten to undo this progress. We must not allow Mr. Jude Gbaboyor and his associates to destroy the hard-earned peace of the Niger Delta.
The persistent efforts to undermine Tantita Security Services and its founder, Tompolo, are deeply concerning. Tantita has played a pivotal role in safeguarding critical infrastructure and combating economic sabotage in the Niger Delta. Attacks on this organization are not just attacks on individuals but on the very stability and security of the region. Instead of supporting these efforts, some have chosen to sow discord for personal or political gain. This must stop.
We call on respected leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta to intervene decisively in this crisis. Esteemed figures such as Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR; Elder Statesman Pa Edwin Clark; Senator Henry Seriake Dickson; and Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali have always been voices of wisdom and unity in our region. Your guidance, influence, and experience are urgently needed to mediate this conflict and restore harmony among all parties involved.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme, a cornerstone of peace and development in the Niger Delta, is at risk of being destabilized. We cannot allow petty rivalries to jeopardize the remarkable progress we have made in reducing violence and fostering economic growth.
The current challenges facing our region demand urgent and decisive action. This is not just about resolving the immediate disputes but about securing the future of the Niger Delta. It is time to rise above personal grievances and focus on the collective good.
We call on all Niger Deltans—traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups, ex-agitators, and other stakeholders—to unite in the spirit of peace and progress. Let us embrace dialogue, address the root causes of our grievances, and work collaboratively to ensure a brighter, more prosperous future for our region.
Despite the challenges, we remain optimistic about the future of the Niger Delta. Our region has the potential to be a beacon of peace, stability, and economic growth in Nigeria. Achieving this vision requires collective effort, mutual respect, and unwavering commitment to our shared goals.
The time to act is now. Let us come together as one family, set aside our differences, and ensure that the Niger Delta continues on the path of peace and progress. Our people deserve nothing less, and it is our collective responsibility to make this vision a reality.
Aso Tambou is the National Leader of Niger Delta Ex-Agitators while Turu Cletus aka John Esuku is National President of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators Forum.
