Ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has distanced himself from an alleged move by some ex-militant leaders to endorse President Muhammadu Buhari for Saturday’s presidential election.
According to online reports, Tompolo was named as one of five ex-militants leaders to endorse Buhari as their preferred candidate at Thursday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The ex-militant leaders were reportedly being facilitated by another militant leader Victor Ebikobowei, alias General Boyloaf.
However, in a statement through his Media Adviser and Consultant, Paul Bebenimibo, as reported by Vanguard, Tompolo distanced himself from the move.
He said he had no reason to endorse Buhari for a second term when his”kinsmen in Gbaramatu Kingdom are being harassed and intimidated by President Buhari military on daily basis”.
The statement read, “We wish to notify the general public that Tompolo is not aware of this development.
“The attention of Tompolo has been drawn to a press release in the online platform that he (Tompolo) is among five ex-militant leaders who are set to endorse Buhari as preferred candidate of the February 16, presidential election in Port Harcourt.
“The endorsement is said to be coordinated by Boyloaf. It must be pointed out that Tompolo has not been in touch with Boyloaf since 2015. Tompolo is not in endorsement politics.
“Tompolo is presently troubled with the way and manner his kinsmen in Gbaramatu Kingdom are being harassed and intimidated by President Buhari military on daily basis.
“This same military harassed, brutalised and killed his father, Chief Thomas Ekpemupolo in 2015 and up till now President Buhari has not made any statement by way of apology to him. Therefore, what will be the reason for Tompolo to endorse him, to further kill his kinsmen?”
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