Egbema Leadership Rejects Collective Blame, Calls For Dialogue Over Division
By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Global Egberi Media International Ltd
The growing exchange of accusations on social media involving personalities and leaders from Egbema and Gbaramatu has once again brought to the fore the need for restraint, responsible communication and genuine dialogue among Ijaw leaders and communities.
In a rejoinder signed by Amb. Gen. Silas Tamarau-Emi Toruwei, ADR, JP, LL, described as a Peace Advocate and Conflict Resolution Expert, he rejected the suggestion that Egbema leaders are sponsoring online attacks against prominent Gbaramatu figures.
The rejoinder was issued in response to a publication by Comr. Freedom Abraye, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Advocate for Peace Development and Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ), titled “Exposing The Egbema Leaders Sponsoring Daniel Perela Ezekiel.”
According to Amb. Gen. Toruwei, allegations linking the broader Egbema leadership to statements or activities attributed to an individual on social media amount to collective blame without sufficient evidence.
Leadership Should Not Be Judged By Social Media Silence
Amb. Gen. Toruwei argued that leadership in Egbema Kingdom is institutional and involves traditional authorities, elders and established structures.
He specifically cautioned against interpreting the silence of individual leaders as evidence that they support or sponsor statements made by others.
He stated that Hon. Alhaji E. Omoko, the Bolowei of Egbema Kingdom, and other Egbema leaders should not be associated with whatever Hon. Daniel Perela Ezekiel may publish online without verifiable evidence establishing such a connection.
The peace advocate maintained that responsible leadership requires evidence before accusations are made against individuals or institutions.
No Responsible Leader Should Encourage Abuse Or Blackmail
The rejoinder also condemned abusive language, blackmail and the publication of unverified allegations.
Amb. Gen. Toruwei stressed that such conduct has no place in the culture and values of responsible leadership.
However, he equally cautioned that responding to alleged abuse with further abuse would only escalate tensions.
According to him, grievances should be channelled through appropriate institutions, including traditional leadership structures, youth organisations, community leadership, security agencies and the courts where necessary.
A Warning Against Trial By Social Media
One of the strongest messages contained in the rejoinder is the warning against allowing social media to become a substitute for due process.
Social media can provide an avenue for public discussion, but accusations capable of damaging reputations and relationships require evidence and responsible handling.
Where genuine grievances exist, the wiser approach is to investigate the facts, hear all sides and seek appropriate resolution rather than allowing online exchanges to deepen existing divisions.
Gbaramatu Leaders Deserve Responsible Engagement
The rejoinder also referred to several prominent Gbaramatu figures mentioned in the earlier publication, including High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, Chief Matthew Tonlagha, Chief Kestin Pondi, High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro and Chief Godfrey Pondi.
Amb. Gen. Toruwei described these personalities as important stakeholders in the peace and development of the Niger Delta.
He argued that where genuine disagreements or grievances exist, the appropriate response should be direct engagement, dialogue and presentation of verifiable facts, rather than media exchanges capable of setting communities against one another.
Egbema And Gbaramatu: A Call To Protect Brotherhood
At the heart of the rejoinder is a broader appeal for Egbema and Gbaramatu to protect their longstanding relationship.
Both communities share historical, cultural and familial connections, and disagreements among individuals should not be allowed to become conflicts between entire communities.
The danger of generalisation is that a dispute involving a few individuals can quickly be presented as a confrontation between two communities.
That is precisely the kind of situation responsible leaders should prevent.
Four-Point Appeal For Peace
Amb. Gen. Toruwei appealed to Comr. Freedom Abraye and other stakeholders to:
1. Desist From Generalisation
Individual statements or actions should not automatically be attributed to an entire leadership structure or community.
2. Stop The Exchange Of Insults
Personal attacks and inflammatory language do not advance peace, development or economic justice.
3. Use Appropriate Channels
Where there are genuine complaints, stakeholders should utilise traditional institutions, community leadership structures, relevant authorities and the courts where appropriate.
4. Prioritise Unity
The Niger Delta requires cooperation, development and peace. Internal division only creates opportunities for others to exploit existing disagreements.
Dialogue Over Drama, Facts Over Fabrications
The central message from the rejoinder is simple but powerful:
Dialogue is stronger than confrontation.
Facts are stronger than rumours.
Evidence is stronger than allegations.
Peace is stronger than propaganda.
At a time when the Niger Delta continues to demand development, empowerment, environmental justice and meaningful participation in the affairs of the region, community leaders must be careful not to allow personal disagreements to undermine collective interests.
A MESSAGE To Ijaw Leaders And Stakeholders
The current situation should serve as a reminder to all stakeholders that leadership carries a responsibility beyond defending one’s personal position.
Every public statement can either build a bridge or burn one.
For this reason, Global Egberi Media International Ltd encourages all parties to embrace responsible journalism, constructive criticism, evidence-based claims and peaceful conflict resolution.
Where allegations are made, let them be investigated.
Where mistakes occur, let there be room for correction.
Where disagreements arise, let dialogue provide the pathway forward.
And where communities are involved, let their shared history be protected from unnecessary division.
GLOBAL EGBERI MEDIA INTERNATIONAL LTD POSITION
As a media organisation committed to promoting truth, unity, peace and development, Global Egberi Media International Ltd believes that the Egbema-Gbaramatu relationship is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of social-media confrontations.
Criticism is part of public discourse, but criticism must be responsible.
Accountability is necessary, but accountability must be based on facts.
And disagreements are inevitable, but they should never become excuses for communal hostility.
The responsibility belongs to everyone — traditional rulers, political leaders, youth leaders, activists, journalists, social-media commentators and ordinary citizens.
OUR APPEAL: LET PEACE PREVAIL
Egbema and Gbaramatu are communities with deep historical connections.
Their people have lived, worked and interacted across generations.
Whatever disagreements exist today should therefore be approached with maturity and wisdom.
Let us choose dialogue over drama.
Let us choose facts over fabrications.
Let us choose reconciliation over retaliation.
Let us choose peace over propaganda.
The future of the Niger Delta is bigger than any individual disagreement.
Peace must remain our common language.
— Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi
Global Egberi Media International Ltd
(GlobalEgberiTV Ofunama)
Source
Rejoinder by Amb. Gen. Silas Tamarau-Emi Toruwei, ADR, JP, LL, responding to the publication attributed to Comr. Freedom Abraye, National Coordinator, NDAPDEJ.
About the Author
