NDDC: Akpabio Secretly Meets Tompolo, Begs Ex-Warlord Over Ultimatum

Nigeria’s Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has reportedly paid a surprise visit to ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, at his Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom country home in Delta State.

Recall that Tompolo had in a statement on Sunday noted that the current scenario in which a sole administrator controls the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is no longer acceptable to the stakeholders.

He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, members of the National Assembly and all others concerned to ensure a substantive board is set up within seven days or he will embark on destructive activities that will target crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the Niger Delta region.

Tompolo explained that the running of the NDDC by a sole administrator at the instance of Godswill Akpabio is unacceptable and anti-development.

Sources have now revealed to The PUNCH, that Akpabio had met with the former warlord to appeal to him to soft-pedal on his earlier ultimatum.

It was gathered that the minister was earlier received at the Osubi airstrip in Warri by the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro, and his younger brother, Dennis, as well as some senior military officers.

The minister then moved in a boat to Oporoza, where he had a closed-door meeting with his host, the outcome of which was still being expected by journalists as of the time of filing this report.