High Chief, Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tom-Polo is on the run from Federal Government forces, who have accused him of aiding and sponsoring the Niger Delta Avenges, the new militant group alleged to be behind the recent bombings of oil installation in the Niger Delta region.
Tom –Polo, who accused soldiers of attacking his aged father, an action which he alleged led to his death last week, told our correspondent in an exclusive electronics -mail interview over the weekend that he is been persecuted because certain selfish politicians and forces want to use him as a bait to get to former President, Goodluck Jonathan.
He also alleged that the Government, headed by President Muhammed Buhari is clueless and that he may still go back to creeks in the nearest future.
He also took a swipe at the judiciary for tying itself to the apron of the Federal Government and for frustrating his case against the government.
Excepts;
Is it true that your late father was man-handled by some security personnel last year?
Yes. It happened on the early hours of Saturday May 28, 2016 when the Nigerian Army under the guise of looking for members of the Niger Delta Avengers and of course my humble self, who they have accused of being behind the activities of the group without any evidence, invaded Kurutie town, where my father, Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo was staying.
They ransacked the whole building and brutalized him. He sustained an injury in one of his legs. We took him to Warri for medical attention after one week of the incident due to difficulty in movement from the village to Warri because of the activities of the Army, and he was admitted at Lily Clinic, where thorough medical tests were conducted on him.
The doctors later advised that his lower limb should be amputated because complication has set in as a result of the injury. We agreed to this and that was done. However, he later died in the clinic after two months.
How do you feel about his death while you are now on the run?
It is a painful development as my father was unjustly killed by the Army. I had debunked the accusation that I was behind the Niger Delta Avengers at many occasions, therefore the action of the Army was unwarranted.
I did not do any wrong by selling my property to the Federal Government through due process, something that was approved by the Federal Executive Council. Why do you think you are been hounded by the security forces? I am just a victim of circumstances.
I am just a perceived enemy of the government. The intention of the government was to arrest former president Goodluck Jonathan. But they feel that arresting Jonathan without arresting me may be difficult, that was the reason why they are after me.
What will be done about your father’s burial in your absence? Other members of the family will plan the burial arrangement. However the issue will be taken to the appropriate quarters to seek redress on the gruesome murder of my father.
The people of your community are lamenting about your absence, due to your much trumpeted philanthropy. Is there anyway you can still help them, especially in this recession period?
It is unfortunate that I am not around to continue to give helping hand to my people as result of my persecution by this government. Before this time,I was doing what the government and multi-national oil companies could not do for the people in the areas of education and health care. My foundation was providing a quality health care for the people in Okerenkoko, where about 90 communities were accessing free health care in surgical operations of any dimension.
For about three years while we operated the clinic, about 500 births were recorded. But due to my persecution by this administration, we shut down the medical facility. Even at that, we are still doing
something in the area of education. We just awarded scholarships to seven first class graduates from the Benson Idahosa University, Benin, to do their masters in any country of their choice. I do all these to promote peace and usher in development to the coastal areas, but the government and some wicked and selfish individuals do not want that to happen.
How do you view the allegations that you are one of the sponsors of the Niger Delta Avengers?
It is baseless and a wicked allegation. I have refuted the allegation. Even the government knows that I am not a sponsor of the Niger Delta Avengers. They are only looking for something to nail me. But they have failed. Now Nigerians have seen the way the government has run the economy aground because they are clueless, and only chasing shadows. It is difficult to give what you do not have.
Why do you think the Niger Delta Avengers include your freedom as one of the conditions to down their weapons?
I do not know about that, and it is not my problem. Maybe they feel that if I am around, it will be easier to build the peace process because so many of the boys have respect for me.
Can you still go back to the creek in future?
Why not? That is where I come from, and the whole of my life I have stayed there. This is just a temporary setback as I prefer to stay in the creek than any other place. That was why I led the struggle for a better living condition for the people so that in the shortest possible time, the creek is urbanized so that the people will live like their counterparts in the urban areas.
What kind of relief do you think the courts can offer you, now that you have sued the Federal Government?
I was the first person to sue the government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) because my company’s account was restricted unjustly, but till now, the court has been playing funny, as the court has refused to hear the matter, instead, it has been adjourning the case at every sitting. I pray that the Nigerian Judiciary should be independent, otherwise, it is difficult for a perceived enemy of the government to get justice and judgement.
What do you think about the present state of the amnesty programme ?
The amnesty programme has been politicized. The programme was to create the enabling environment for the desired development of the Niger Delta region. It was to be a means to an end, and not an end on its own. The government should hand over the programme to stakeholders
to drive, it is only then that the programme can achieve its desired goals.
Sourec: 247ureports.com
