RIPPLES NIGERIA
An ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Eshanekpe Israel alias Akpodoro, has fired back at the leader of the defunct Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Asari Dokubo, following his claim of betrayal by President Bola Tinubu and his vow not to support his reelection bid in 2027.
Asari had, in a video message, accused Tinubu of betraying him and the Ijaw people after he had emptied his bank accounts to campaign for him in 2023, only for he and his people to be abandoned by Tinubu.
“I apologise to our fathers because they were not wrong in allying with the North, and as young men, we will now start that same alliance,” he said in the video.
“From today, I will work and form an alliance with the North. President Tinubu betrayed me after I spent all my money and emptied my bank account campaigning for him.”
But while reacting to the threat, Akpodoro who is also the Mayor of Urhoboland, said Asari is free to form an alliance with whoever he wishes as he is only an individual who has the franchise to support anyone of his choice.
Akpodoro who spoke to journalists in Abuja during a pro-2027 Coalition for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, stated that Asari who is a respected personality among his peers, should only speak for himself, as the entire Niger Delta region is standing with Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, also known as Tompolo and a strong ally of the President.
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“The President Tinubu-led administration has been fair to all sections of the country in his bid to build an equitable political system including empowering the next generation of Nigerians to take the mantle of leadership when their time comes,” Akpodoro said.
“Tinubu’s government emerged through the collective efforts of the Nigerian people including Niger Deltans, who overwhelmingly voted for him at the polls and not the making of one man.
“It is mischievous for anyone to expect President Tinubu to patronise him at the detriment of the development and growth. He appointed a technocrat, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP; the engine of the service in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is grinding nonstop.
“Those we trust in the region were appointed and more than ever before, our creek is experiencing peace as Tantita Security Services Nig LTD, is waging relentless war on oil thieves thereby whittling down the power of criminals.”
