The entire camp of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta state is currently enveloped in palpable fear over the recent visit of the All Progressive Congress, APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Deputy Senate President who doubles as the APC Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege’s visit to the former leader, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and the traditional ruler, the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaramatu 11, Aketekpe Agadagba.
Jolted by the visit, the PDP which has suffered mass exodus of her members to the opposition APC in the state, hurriedly inaugurated a reconciliation committee, charged with the mandate to reconcile all warring factions in the party as well as endeavour to bring back strayed members with projected target of invading the flooded camp of the opposition party.
The aftermath of the PDP governorship primary election and the subsequent legal fireworks that threw up Sheriff Oborevwori as the state Governorship candidate, left the PDP camp in disarray as considerably percentage of it’s members left in droves to join the APC.
They feared that the new bride of Delta state politics, Chief Priest of the Egbesu deity, Tompolo have been cajoled to join the APC.
Though, their fears wouldn’t be unconnected with the about #48billion pipeline surveillance contract awarded by the federal government to the Global West Vessel Services, a company, owned by Tompolo, to handle maritime security issues for the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Security Agency (NIMASA).
An impeccable source at the Aso Rock villa hinted that the contract was a deliberate attempt to hoodwink the Delta state power broker into the fold of the APC.
In recent times, the Egbesu Chief Priest was reported to have wielded so much influence in the Delta state politics as he was said to have greatly impacted on the electoral victory of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. As a compensation for his effort, his cousin, Barrister Kingsley Burutu Otuaro who was born in Oporoza, Warri South West local government area, emerged as the Deputy Governor of Delta state.
Today, the battle for the soul of the Niger Delta warlord, Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo by the political parties is getting more fiercely every passing day as his overbearing political influence would guarantee electoral victory for the party of his choice.
It would be recalled that the APC presidential candidate visited Tompolo alongside traditional rulers and stakeholders in the Niger Delta where he interacted with the different communities on his plans ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
After his first visit, he returned again, also in the company of Delta state APC Governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege to visit Oporoza, the ancestral headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom. The campaign train of the APC presidential candidate, paid a courtesy visit to the Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Oboro Gbaramatu 11 Aketekpe Agadagba who conferred on him the title of Iyelawei of Gbaramatu Kingdom.
