Crusaders, under the aegis of the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), have condemned mischief makers for reportedly embarking on a smear campaign against Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The group, in a statement on Monday, signed by its Coordinator, Izon Ebi, said Tompolo and Akpabio deserved commendation and not lampoon for averting the planned hostilities renewed agitations by the youths of the Niger Delta
On May 3, 2021, Tompolo gave the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to constitute a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) or be ready for a total shutdown of the region with renewed youths agitations and restiveness.
In order to bring down the tension in the region, Akpabio reached out to Tompolo and other stakeholders in the region where he (the Minister) promised that the Board of the NDDC would be inaugurated on or before June end.
The 21st CYNDAC wondered why some mischievous stakeholders misconstrued the positions of Akpabio and Tompolo despite their noble intentions and honest desires to ensure peace and harmony in the region.
The group said: “We received with shock, the insinuations being peddled by some mischief-makers in the region about the bold and noble steps taken by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to navigate the creeks of Gbaramatu Kingdon to douse tensions and avert the plans by mischief makers to set the Niger Delta ablaze, truncate the forensic audit and inauguration of NDDC board.
“Seeing that their plan to incite the region, royal fathers, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Tompolo, and others against Akpabio have failed, the merchants of violence without shame have now resorted to peddling blackmail, falsehood, and propaganda against the minister and Tompolo.
“It is with deep shock and shame seeing some of the so-called political leaders from the Gbaramatu Kingdom embarrassing themselves by making mockery and caricature of the Oporoza meeting which had distinguished personalities, stakeholders, monarchs, and other stakeholders in attendance.
“It is high time they stopped the primitive politicking and insane vituperations borne out of hatred and jealousy. It portends great danger, not only to the Ijaw nation but to the entire Niger Delta region.”
The crusaders, therefore, urged disgruntled stakeholders to allow peace to reign in the Niger Delta for the sake of the people and the development of the region.
The 21st CYNDAC added: “Youths in the region are jobless not because they are lazy but because there is no visionary leadership and commitment to change the ugly narratives.
“Finally, we call on Niger Deltans to disregard the falsehood against Tompolo and the Akpabio as well as the newly-appointed Chairman of the NDDC, Chief Bernard Okumagba because he is a round peg in a round hole.”
