Egbema Kingdom Leaders Reject Allegations Against Tompolo, Gbaramatu Leadership, Call For Restraint And Unity
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
EGBEMA KINGDOM, DELTA/EDO STATES — Young leaders and stakeholders from Ogbudugbudu community in Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, have publicly rejected what they described as misleading allegations being circulated against High Chief Dr. Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and other leaders of the Gbaramatu Kingdom.
The position was contained in a statement attributed to Hon. Marshall James Ekpe, Mr. Stephen Anuwo, Wisdom Owowo, John Itima, Clement Anuwo, Philip Ajagidi, Ebisco Okpeku, Sylvanus and other young leaders of Ogbudugbudu, who urged members of the public to treat with caution recent social-media claims allegedly made by Mr. Gbaboye and Mr. Daniel Perela Ezekiel concerning Egbema Kingdom and its leadership.
The leaders particularly expressed concern over what they described as attempts to invoke the name of Barrister Napoleon Egin and the Egbema Kingdom in what they believe is a personal dispute involving individuals outside the kingdom.
Leaders Defend Tompolo’s Relationship With Egbema
According to the statement, the Ogbudugbudu leaders said Tompolo has maintained a relationship with the people of Egbema and has, in their view, demonstrated support for the Ijaw people and communities whenever the need arose.
They therefore rejected suggestions that Tompolo has disrespected Egbema Kingdom or deliberately undermined its leadership.
The leaders described the Ijaw leader as a significant figure within the Niger Delta and said Egbema people should not be portrayed as being in conflict with him based on statements circulating on social media.
They appealed to members of the public, particularly Ijaw stakeholders, to distinguish between genuine community concerns and allegations arising from personal disagreements.
Egbema Leadership And The 2027 Political Question
Another major issue addressed in the statement was the controversy surrounding High Chief Ebipade Kari and his reported political ambition to represent Warri North Constituency II in the Delta State House of Assembly in 2027.
The Ogbudugbudu leaders disputed the allegation that Kari was imposed on Egbema people.
They maintained that, according to their understanding of the process, Egbema leadership had reached a consensus on his candidacy and that the decision should not be presented to the public as an external imposition.
They further stated that the political choice concerning who should represent Egbema interests remains an internal matter that should be handled through consultation, unity and legitimate community processes.
Leaders Reject Claims Surrounding Barrister Napoleon Egin
The statement also addressed claims concerning Barrister Napoleon Egin, particularly allegations relating to his reported ambition to become a traditional ruler and claims surrounding his alleged kidnapping.
The Ogbudugbudu leaders described those narratives as allegations intended to damage the image of Egbema Kingdom and Tompolo.
They insisted that the matter concerning Egin’s reported kingship ambition should not be continually resurrected as a tool for creating division within the kingdom.
However, as these are competing claims made by the parties involved, the publication notes that the allegations and counter-allegations remain the positions of the respective individuals and groups unless independently established by competent authorities.
Appeal To Ogbe-Ijaw Leadership
The Ogbudugbudu leaders also appealed to the leadership and elders of Ogbe-Ijaw Kingdom to intervene where necessary and encourage their son, Mr. Gbaboye, to avoid statements which, in their view, could unnecessarily drag Egbema Kingdom into a personal dispute.
They argued that disagreements between individuals should not be allowed to become disputes between entire communities or kingdoms.
According to them, the Niger Delta has experienced enough conflicts and should therefore prioritize dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Questions Raised Over Daniel Ezekiel’s Changing Positions
The statement also questioned what the signatories described as an apparent change in the public positions of Daniel Perela Ezekiel.
They recalled that Ezekiel had previously made positive comments about Tompolo and had also publicly praised Chief. Dennis Otuaro, PhD, the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
The leaders therefore questioned what they considered a change in tone and asked stakeholders to examine the circumstances behind such changes rather than accepting every social-media narrative at face value.
They also referenced previous controversies involving other Niger Delta personalities, arguing that constant attacks against different leaders could contribute to division and instability within the region.
Warning Against Social-Media Confrontations
The Ogbudugbudu leaders further appealed to individuals involved in the controversy to exercise restraint in their use of social media.
They particularly mentioned Mr. Abraye, urging him to be careful about the sources and language of statements he publishes concerning Egbema leadership.
The leaders said social-media platforms should not become avenues for insults, character attacks or the escalation of disagreements that could otherwise be resolved through traditional leadership structures and dialogue.
Call For Egbema-Gbaramatu Unity
At the heart of the statement is a broader appeal for unity between Egbema and Gbaramatu communities.
The leaders urged prominent stakeholders in both communities to resist attempts to turn individual disagreements into communal conflicts.
They maintained that the interests of the wider Ijaw nation should take precedence over personal disagreements, political ambitions or social-media confrontations.
They also appealed to elders and community leaders to provide guidance to younger people and ensure that disagreements are handled through established channels of dialogue.
A Broader Lesson For Niger Delta Leadership
The controversy once again highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping public opinion across the Niger Delta.
While social media has provided communities with an avenue to express grievances and challenge public figures, unverified allegations can also deepen mistrust and create unnecessary tension between communities.
For this reason, community leaders, activists and public commentators have a responsibility to distinguish between verified facts, allegations, opinions and political disagreements.
The Egbema leaders’ statement ultimately calls for restraint and a return to dialogue.
Their message is that disagreements involving individuals should not be allowed to destroy relationships between communities that share historical, cultural and political interests.
As the various parties continue to express their positions, stakeholders across Egbema Kingdom, Gbaramatu Kingdom and the wider Niger Delta would be better served by peaceful engagement, evidence-based public discourse and respect for legitimate community leadership structures.
Global Egberi Media International Ltd will continue to provide space for responsible public discourse while encouraging all parties to present evidence for serious allegations and to pursue peaceful avenues for resolving disputes.
Source: Statement attributed to Hon. Marshall James Ekpe, Mr. Stephen Anuwo and other young leaders of Ogbudugbudu community, Egbema Kingdom.
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