WARRI, NIGERIA — High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has broken his silence on the ongoing protests in Delta State, calling for an immediate peaceful resolution as women and youths continue to occupy critical oil and gas installations in the Escravos and Warri River areas.
The mass action, which began on Monday, June 8, 2026, has seen local communities shut down key energy infrastructure over an unresolved political grievance.
In a press statement issued from Oporoza Town, the headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Tompolo—who holds the title of Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation and serves as Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited—joined prominent citizens in pleading for calm, warning that the peaceful demonstrations must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
According to the statement, the volatile situation stems from a long-standing political grievance against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Tompolo explicitly blamed the electoral umpire’s failure to complete the delineation of electoral wards in the Warri Federal Constituency for driving the frustrated locals to the trenches.
“The current political situation arising from the failure of INEC to complete the delineation of wards in the Warri Federal Constituency and mass action must not be allowed to be hijacked or to degenerate into violence of any sort,” Tompolo stated.
He reminded the protesting public of their heritage, noting that the “Ijaw nation has from time immemorial been known for their peaceful ways and we cannot deviate from our history.”
To prevent the situation from escalating further or being hijacked by criminal elements, the influential Niger Delta leader announced that he is summoning an emergency meeting of community leaders to chart a strategic and peaceful way forward. Directing his appeal toward the ethnic groups co-existing in the oil-rich hub, Tompolo sued for inter-ethnic harmony during the tense standoff.
“We call on the people of Warri—whether Ijaw, Itsekiri, or Urhobo—to be calm and wait patiently for INEC to do the right thing,” he urged.
The Tantita Security boss concluded by placing the responsibility of restoring permanent order squarely on the shoulders of the electoral commission.
“INEC must determine to do the right thing and restore the peace in Warri and environs,” the statement read, emphasizing that a transparent resolution of the ward boundaries is the only viable antidote to the current crisis.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies and oil majors operating in the Escravos axis are reportedly monitoring the situation, even as community leaders prepare to meet following Tompolo’s intervention.
