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4 — Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2022 :@vanguardnews :@vanguardnewsNEWS HOTLINES: :Vanguard News Tompolo contract: Boyloaf, ex-militant leaders knock Asari-Dokubo ....As PANDEF, INC wade in, sue for peace By Emma Amaize, South-South, Sam Oyadongha, Davies Iheamnachor, Chioma Onuegbu and Ozioruva Aliu SABA—FORMER commander Aof the defunct Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta, MEND, Victo-Ben Ebikabowei, aka Boyloaf, other ex-militant leaders and stakeholders of the Niger Delta, yesterday, lashed out at militant leader and warlord, Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, over his recent outburst against the ex-MEND leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, over oil pipeline surveillance contract by the Federal Government. This came as the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, the South-South regional group, and Ijaw National Congress, INC, the umbrella sociocultural body of Ijaw ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta, intervened in the simmering feud. Dokubo-Asari, also the founder of the Niger-Delta People’s Volunteer Force, NDPVF, triggered the crisis when he kicked against the multi-billion-naira pipeline surveillance contract, which the Federal Government awarded to five companies, including two, that Tompolo has an interest. Unexpected offensive —PANDEF PANDEF, the mouthpiece of leaders and stakeholders of the coastal states of Niger-Delta, which weighed into the matter, yesterday, said: “The reported comments of Dokubo-Asari on the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo, are not unexpected.” National Publicity Secretary, PANDEF, Ken Robinson, told Vanguard in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State: “Perhaps, the major problem here was the way and manner in which it communicated the award of that contract to the public. The impression forged that Tompolo contract was the first and only infrastructure surveillance contract awarded to a company with an indigenous interest in the Niger Delta is not true. “However, Dokubo-Asari and Tompolo, both notable sons of Niger Delta, are committed to the peace and stability of the region and the country at large. We are, therefore, confident that they will resolve their perceived differences. “We urge the authorities to correct any plausible omission. PANDEF would intervene where and when necessary, while further appealing for greater understanding and cordiality among our people. “The sad story of the persistent, humongous stealing of our crude oil, by organized criminals and corrupt officials, is absurd and alarming. The ramifications are affecting not only the national economy but also all Nigerians,” the group said. INC c’ttee submits report —Prof Okaba National President, INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, who confirmed the Ijaw apex group was handling the matter, told Vanguard on phone: “The leadership of the INC is currently engaging all the stakeholders, including the ex-militants concerned.” Vanguard learned that a five-man committee inaugurated by INC had met with both Tompolo, who has declined to make public comments on the matter, and Dokubo-Asari and submitted its report on the way forward. Okaba said the engagement was “to create an enabling environment that will foster mutual trust and understanding on how best to execute the said contract , without compromising the collective ideals of the Ijaw struggle for selfdetermination and environmental wellness.” His words: “The five-man INC committee had submitted their report on their findings and recommendations. I have spoken with the key players and we hope everything will end well for all concerned parties.” Unacceptable, says Boyloaf Defunct MEND commander, Boyloaf, •Asari-Dokubo told Vanguard on the phone, "I condemn the attack on Tompolo by Dokubo-Asari. This is unacceptable and unexpected of a leader in his caliber." He said the example Dokubo-Asari was setting for upcoming leaders with his conduct was unbecoming, saying: 'I support Tompolo, he is qualified for the contract and Dokubo-Asari did not oppose when somebody else from Edo state, the late Capt Okunbo did a similar contract in Rivers. His company still operates in Rivers." Ill-mannered outburst —Omare, ex-IYC president Speaking on the quarrel, former national president, Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Eric Omare, said, “Dokubo-Asari's opposition to Tompolo having a surveillance contract in Rivers State is most unfortunate. It strikes at the foundation of Ijaw nationalism. What is all the Ijaw interest that Dokubo-Asari has been fighting for over the years if he feels that an Ijaw man cannot execute a contract in Kalabari land when even people from other ethnic groups such as the late Capt Hosa Okunbo, a Bini man, executed similar projects in the past without opposition? “This singular incident has exposed Dokubo-Asari as not fit to present himself as an Ijaw nationalist. Whether it can lead to a breach of peace in the region, I do not see any such threat. An individual’s desire or failure to get a contract cannot lead to the breakdown of law and order in the Niger Delta region. “To agree to such individual threats is to lay a foundation for future misbehavior by other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region. No individual can use his personal interest to override the collective interest of the region,” Omare said. Nothing wrong with contract —Sintei, ex-militant leader An ex-militant leader in Akwa Ibom state, self-styled “General” Nikko Sintei, and Coordinator of Gas Pipeline Communities in Akwa Ibom, Kufre Emmanson, cautioned Niger Deltans not to see the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo by the Federal government as an issue that would bring disharmony among them. Sintei said: "We are all from the Niger We are all from Niger Delta. If Dokubo got the contract, I'll not oppose it. Therefore, for him to oppose Tompolo for the contract is not right •Tompolo Delta region. If Dokubo got the contract, I will not oppose it. Therefore, for him to oppose Tompolo for the contract is not right. If he has a personal issue with Tompolo, the best thing should not have been for him to go on social media to criticize Tompolo. “And we in Akwa Ibom believe that now that they have awarded the contract to Tompolo, he will carry everybody along. He has even advised us to join hands with him to do the job, as he could not do it alone. Therefore, I have not seen how he has gone wrong for anyone to challenge him, or say he has no right to secure the contract.” Outburst condemnable —Emmanson, pipeline communities’ coordinator On his part, Emmanson said: "Let us support Tompolo. In Akwa Ibom state, we will support nobody or the group kicking against this contract secured by Tompolo. We believe in his capacity to handle the Surveillance job. Tompolo visited Akwa Ibom sometime ago and consulted the elders. For me, that means he is accommodating and will carry everybody along.” Not surprised —Bobo, ex-militant leader National chair, Third Phase Niger Delta Ex Agitators, Tonye Bobo, who spoke in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said: "First, I dislike criticizing our leaders but as you must have noticed, there is always rivalry among Niger Delta leaders, and Asari is that type, if it is not him, then nobody. That is the reason for his outburst. “This is one of the major challenges we were having with him right from his days when he was the president of IYC worldwide. Whatever thing he is not in control of, that thing will not stand. He would want to see how he can pull down the roof of the building. “Interestingly, in the case of Tompolo, he came out publicly, invited the youths and leaders, irrespective of whether he is controlling their states, so long as you are Niger Delta ex agitator, Kpofire operators, among others, to come together and rub minds on how we can secure the pipelines and save our environment from further despoliation.” Respected warlords should not fight —Ekiye, Ijaw elder An Ijaw elder, Deacon Braeyi Ekiye, from Bayelsa state, said: "There is a need for them to understand themselves and work in tandem to achieve set a developmental goal in the Niger Delta. We do not expect two warlords who are cherished sons of this region to fight over a pipeline surveillance contract project.” Disregard unwarranted ranting —Ozobo, IPDI National President, Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative, IPDI, - Niger- Delta rights group, Austin Ozobo, who also spoke to Vanguard, said: “I have carefully followed the attacks of Dokubo-Asari against Tompolo and my take is he is wrong in his ill-mannered comments against Tompolo. “It is off-beam for Asari to view Tompolo •Boyloaf as an enemy. He should retrace his steps because he (Asari) is disappointing the Niger Delta region. Tompolo is open to receiving any complaints and addressing them with his brothers in the Niger Delta region. “The Tompolo I know would not have acted the way Asari, my friend, is acting if peradventure they awarded the surveillance contract to Asari or any other Niger Delta aboriginal contractor.” Baseless outburst —Ezekiel, SSA Daniel Ezekiel, Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters to Delta State Governor, stated, “It is so unfortunate that Dokubo-Asari has become the vessel through which the Bible passage that says a man's household shall be man’s greatest enemy is coming to pass. Dokubo-Asari’s outburst against Tompolo is not only baseless but lacks merit. “For seven years running now, the late Captain Okunbo’s company, Ocean Marines Solution, has been in charge of this surveillance contract across the length and breadth of Niger Delta region, Dokubo-Asari did not for once kick against this ‘oppressive reign’ that a Bini man was in charge of 83km pipelines in his Kalabari Kingdom. “Even as we are talking, Ocean Marine Solution, Captain Okunbo's company is in charge of a large chunk of the current surveillance contract in Rivers State with a Niger-Delta supervising the place, yet, Dokubo- Asari deliberately turned blind eyes to outsiders, but dragged his own brother in the mud.” They should dialogue —James, peace envoy Also speaking, Coordinator, Association of Rural Chiefs for Peace and Development, Alabo Nengi James, said: "I do not think awarding contract to Tompolo is wrong but given the strategic geography of our Ijaw/Niger Delta territory, it will be difficult for one person to take it all. Because Asari is making his grievances public, I will call for dialogue between both parties. Though we do not know how they awarded the contract, what is important is that there should be goodwill and togetherness in Ijaw land and the Niger Delta. “My earlier recommendation was that they should not award the contract to individuals, but to the communities so that the communities will know who is working in their domain. Giving it to one or two persons is like making them lords and that is an uproar. It is a power tussle." This is bad —Okubo, ex-militant leader Former militant leader, Robert Okubo, in Edo state, said: “I think what all these ex-agitators are doing is out of point, all their agitations against the contract given to Tompolo is out of point because this is a contract that was in the past given to people that pipelines did not even pass through their areas. “I do not see why our things are always different; people are always working against themselves in things like this. It is bad, no matter the differences, I expect every ex-agitator to queue behind Tompolo because tomorrow can be your turn, today, they gave to Tompolo and you are going against it, what if tomorrow the table turn and you are now given the contract?” Social Media Conversation If so, Father forgive us! Hmm, beware of his wrath ooo! Raise the volume! ...And his God? And you become a stranger...after!
Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 , 2022 — 5 POCKET CARTOON No going back on opposition to same-faith ticket — FORUM OF NORTHERN CHRISTIANS •As Dogara, Lawal, CAN chairmen from 19 Northern states meet•They‘re fifth columnists — APC SOURCE •I don’t believe in playing politics with religion, Okowa slams Tinubu, Obi •Why Atiku picked Okowa as running mate over Wike, others — AYU By Dapo Akinrefon & Luminous Jannamike ABUJA — Opposition against the Muslim- Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday, grew as the Forum of Northern Christians reiterated its position on the same-faith ticket, saying it would not back down. The forum is headed by former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara. But a top APC leader tackled Dogara, describing him as a fifth columnist. Bola Tinubu, a Muslim emerged as the presidential candidate of the APC for the 2023 elections, while former governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, emerged his running mate. This came on a day Governor of Delta State and Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday, took a swipe at Bola Tinubu, over the controversy that has trailed the party’s Muslim- Muslim ticket. Our position on same-faith ticket stands Dogara, however, said it will meet with all the presidential candidates, across party lines and come up with its preferred choice. Dogara met behind closed doors with Christian leaders from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in Abuja in continuation of their consultations ahead of the 2023 general elections. It was gathered that aside the former speaker, others in attendance include former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal; an APC Senator from Adamawa State, Elisha Abbo; former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba and all state chairmen of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, from the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory. Confirming the meeting in a tweet posted on his verified Twitter account, yesterday, Dogara wrote: “#NigeriaDecides2023: The fight for justice continues. Today (yesterday), we held a consultative meeting with Christian leaders from the 19 Northern States and the FCT on the pan-Nigerian platform to adopt in 2023.” The forum had recently convened a summit of Northern Christian Leaders in Abuja where they rejected the adoption of a Muslim-Muslim Presidential and Vice Presidential ticket by the ruling APC. No going back on opposition to Muslim-Muslim ticket—CAN From left, Aderonke Onadeko, CEO, DRNL Consult Limited; President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Michael Olawale-Cole, PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Abimbola Olashore, vice president, LCCI; Aminu Tambuwal, governor, Sokoto State; Ayo Teriba, Chairman, Economics and Statistics Committee, LCCI, and Ogho Okiti, Managing Director, BusinessDay Media Limited, during the LCCI Private Sector Economic Forum on the 2023 Presidential Election in Lagos, yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele. chairman Also confirming the meeting toVanguard, the CAN Chairman in Kaduna State, Rev. John Hayab, said: “The meeting was well attended in person by all the CAN chairmen from the North except Katsina state. “We are saying it’s no going back on our stance against the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the APC.” Asked which political party the Northern Christian leaders have decided to throw their weight behind, Hayab said: “We will meet with leading Christian politicians across party lines to consult with them before deciding on our next line of action. “We will also wait for signals from the (CAN) national body. They will also point us on the way to go, but the Muslim-Muslim ticket is out of the equation. “What we had expected from the APC was for them to call the Church together and explain themselves rather than hiring impostors to impersonate genuine Christian leaders.” Dogara, Lawal are fifth columnists — PARTY SOURCE But lampooning the former speaker over his opposition, a top APC leader described him as a fifth columnist. The party leader, who spoke toVanguard in confidence, also tackled Dogara and former SGF, Mr Babachir Lawal describing them as paperweight politicians. The source, who is familiar with the workings of the APC, said: “Dogara is a spent force. He was looking for the VP slot, as far as we are concerned, Dogara and Babachir Lawal just want to be noticed. Based on my understanding of how politics is played in the north, the likes of Dogara and Lawal are paperweight politicians as far as northern politics is concerned and also within the Christian community. “During the last elections, what did they bring to the table from their various local governments? How many people can Babachir Lawal convince to vote for him in Adamawa State? How many people can Dogara convince to vote for others in Bauchi? Dogara is a minority in his state but in spite of that, Muslims supported him to become Speaker of the House of Representatives. “They are fifth columnists as far as we are concerned. I see it as an attempt to demystify the myth around religious politics in Nigeria because an average Nigerian is not bothered about where you come from as long as you give him the basic needs. Look at the Continues on Page 27 By Yinka Latona Assessment of LASG ban on okada in more LGs, LCDAs The threat to our humanity posed by okada-induced rise in crime rate, jungle justice mentality of attacking, injuring and even killing their passengers over dispute in fares or unleashing mayhem on the roads whenever one of them is involved in an accident, are uncalled for. However, Lagos State Government should make all major roads in Lagos State motorable. —Oluwabunmi Olawale, Businesswoman I support this move by the Lagos State Government. It’s about time we stopped being selfish and started thinking about our safety, even for our own sanity in Lagos, which is now on the cusp of Yaba left. This madness and disorganisation on our roads need to give way for order. —Damilare Sodipo, Commercial driver This is a shame! This singular order by the Lagos State Government has thrown thousands of people into the job market with no alternative means of survival. Few months from now, there would be noticeable increase in crime rate. —Temitope Fasina, Cleric There are many routes in Lagos that only okada can ply, so banning okada will bring extreme hardship to a lot of Lagosians if the government fails to come up with an alternative fast. —Yetunde Adeoye, Medical personnel Banning okada across major local government areas in Lagos State is very much welcome, but how come nobody is suggesting better means of achieving this instead of just stopping these okada riders’ means of livelihood? —Regina Nwanchor, Trader I don’t think this government knows what to do. This same okada was banned two years back in Lagos. Moreover, banning okada in places like Apapa Local Government Area is like not knowing the challenges of this who resides in this area. I think the government did not take into consideration the frustrating traffic situation in areas like Apapa before taking the decision. —Eniola D. Ogunleye, Secretary
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Page 7 and 8: :Vanguard News Keyamo’s diatribe
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Page 17 and 18: Peter Obi's presidential run(2) The
Page 19 and 20: Nigeria’s oil exploration begins
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Page 23 and 24: By Anayo Okoli, Vincent Ujumadu, Ch
Page 25 and 26: OKOBOSHI I, formerly known as MISS

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