Ex-militant leader Tompolo has declared that the suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara “will return to power,” speaking at his birthday celebration
[dropcap]P[/dropcap]rominent former militant leader, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, has publicly stated his conviction that the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, will ultimately be reinstated to his position of power.
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Tompolo made this assertive declaration during a celebration held in honour of his birthday on Saturday in Gbaramatu Kingdom, situated in the Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
Governor Fubara was controversially suspended from his office in March following directives from President Bola Tinubu.
Subsequently, a sole administrator, Ibok-ete Ibas, was appointed to oversee the governance of Rivers State for an initial six-month term.
Addressing the attendees at his birthday event, Tompolo drew attention to the political landscape of the region.
“Only one state that we have; all the things we are doing here, all our eyes are on Bayelsa,” he remarked, seemingly referencing potential external interference in the affairs of neighbouring Bayelsa State.
He issued a strong warning, saying, “If you think you have a medicine, because you are president, because you are governor, if you try Bayelsa state you will suffer.”
Tompolo then turned his attention to the situation in Rivers State, expressing his confidence in Fubara’s return.
He stated, “One is more than 20, our brother too, the governor of Bayelsa state, even if we quarrel in politics, no way! Even in Rivers state, our son (referring to Fubara), he will come back and sit on the throne. We will talk and understand.”
He also alluded to the circumstances surrounding Fubara’s initial ascent to power, noting the lack of Ijaw support at the time. “The whole of the Ijaw Nation, Wike is my friend.
When he put this boy, Siminalayi Fubara to the throne of becoming the Governor of Rivers State, No Ijaw man was there. No Ijaw man supported Wike to do that Job. As we are here, we are only for Truth.”
Governor Fubara’s suspension, along with the removal of other elected officials in Rivers State, stemmed from a significant political dispute between the former Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and Fubara himself.
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Tompolo’s pronouncements add another layer of complexity to the ongoing political situation in the state.
Quadri Olaitan is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
