By Ebi Perekeme
A close ally of foremost ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, popularly known as Tompolo, Bello Bina, has debunked reports that Tompolo’s reappearance six years after of being declared wanted by the Federal Government was a new plot to launch an attack against President Muhammadu Buhari and the Niger Delta.
Bina, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Brass Local Government Area in Bayelsa, said Tompolo’s appearance in a viral video six years after was to thank God for his mercies on his life.
In a statement on Sunday, he responded to the alleged plot by some politicians and ex-militant leaders to provoke a new confrontation between Tompolo and the Federal Government.
He said the plot against Tompolo was a wicked attempt by some persons to extort the Federal Government of money and political benefits.
He said: “People who want to blackmail the Federal Government for money and political positions are the ones behind the claims.
“We know them and we will mention their names at the appropriate time. They wake up and drop Tompolo’s name. They claim Tompolo did this or that. They have started again to drop the name of Tompolo.”
Bina, who commended the Federal Government for dropping the charges against Tompolo, said his reappearance in viral video was a celebration of the gesture of the President and the benevolence of the Almighty God.
He noted: ”Some politicians and ex-militants are trying to use that to curry favour from the government. Tompolo is innocent and just came back and finding a way forward.
“Tompolo is not planning to fight the Federal Government or anybody. He is not threatening any multinational company. He is quiet and minding his business.
“May I tell President Muhammadu Buhari that Tompolo is not the problem of the Niger Delta. The President should see beyond Tompolo.”
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