Convicted former governor of Delta state, Mr. James Ibori, is said to have met secretly with ex-militant leader, Mr. Government Ekpumopolo, aka Tompolo, at his (Ibori) Oghara country home, Ethiope East local government area of Delta state few weeks ago in a bid to find a lasting solution to the incessant bombing of oil facilities by militants in the Niger Delta region.
Mr. Ibori, who was released from prison in the United Kingdom (UK) last December after serving a 13 year jail term for money laundry and corruption was given a rousing welcome back home early this month by his Oghara Kingdom as well as former and present political office holders in the state and since then the country home of the ex-convict former governor has become a sort of political mecca for politicians within and outside the state.
An indispensable source close to the ex-convict former governor, confided in HardReporters, that about three weeks ago Ibori had audience with the former “war lord” Mr. Government Ekpumopolo, aka (Tompolo), who was on secret visit to the former governor Ibori, at his Oghara country home.
“We were all surprised to see Tompolo and some of his foot soldiers drove into the compound to see our leader the former governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori. Though his visit was a very top secret one. In the session held with him, our leader expressed disappointment over the incessant bombing of oil facilities in the region. He called on him, Emami Ayiri and others to be united and work for the common good of the region.
“Ibori told him that the fight to emancipate the region can not be achieved through violence, guns and bombing of oil facilities but through intelligence and dialogue. That as a proponent of resource control, he’s so glad to be home and enjoined them to stop the bombing because the continued bombing will not only affect the nation’s economy but has deadly effects on our people and the environment. Ibori, appealed to him with all his heart to find a way to make sure the blowing up of oil pipelines is stopped totally.” our source hinted.
It would be recalled that Mr. Government Ekpumopolo, aka Tompolo, was last year declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over corrupt related cases after his bank accounts were frozen by the commission.
As at the time of filing in this report, an old political associate of the ex convict former governor who pleaded anonymity also confirmed the story.
