“You Cannot Use Your Cheap Blackmails, Propaganda, False Allegations To Erase The Criminal Life You Were Living Before Tompolo Rescued You And Gave Your Life A Meaning”_

By Ebiowei Gabriel

•••••”You Cannot Replace Your Criminal History With Blackmails, Abuse, Propaganda And Fabricated Stories Against Tompolo, Otuaro, The Niger Delta People Know Who You Are”.

Comrade Freeborn Abraye, National Coordinator of the Niger Delta Advocates for Peace, Development and Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ), has launched a blistering response to General Ebikabowei Victor Ben, A.K.A Boyloaf, accusing him of attempting to rewrite the history of his own emergence in the Niger Delta struggle and political landscape.

Abraye said Boyloaf should be careful about making comparisons between himself and Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, A.K.A Tompolo, arguing that the two men have had markedly different trajectories, contributions and levels of influence within the Niger Delta.

According to Abraye, there are extensive records and evidence that Boyloaf was involved in serious criminal activities in the creeks of the Niger Delta, including kidnapping, sea piracy, pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering and other related crimes in the creeks of the Niger Delta before his eventual emergence as a prominent figure in the region.

The NDAPDEJ coordinator further stated that Tompolo played a significant role in helping Boyloaf move away from the criminal lifestyle he was living in the creeks of Niger Delta, and made him a recognized personality in the region.

Abraye therefore questioned the basis upon which Boyloaf now seeks to place himself on the same pedestal as Tompolo.

“Let us be clear: history must not be rewritten for the convenience of political ego. Whatever anyone may say today, there is a history behind Boyloaf’s transformation and emergence, and that history cannot simply be erased because he now occupies a different position in society,” he said.

Abraye maintained that acknowledging the role of individuals who contributed to one’s transformation demonstrates character, gratitude and respect for history, which he said Boyloaf lacks.

He accused Boyloaf of displaying what he described as “a disturbing level of ingratitude” by attempting to diminish the stature of Tompolo, whom Abraye described as the most influential figure in the Niger Delta.

“Boyloaf cannot manufacture a new history for himself. He cannot erase the critical role Tompolo played and is still playing in his life till this very moment. If Tompolo had not rescued Boyloaf from the criminal life he was living at the time he did, Boyloaf would have ended up in prison as a result of the numerous criminal activities he was engaging in the Niger Delta.

He challenged Boyloaf to present his own record before the Niger Delta people and allow the public to objectively examine the circumstances surrounding his emergence, rather than attempting to compete with or diminish the stature of the man who literally made him what he is today.

Abraye further argued that the Niger Delta does not need leaders who engage in cheap blackmails, propaganda, character assassination and displays a pull him down syndrome.
According to him, what the region requires is leaders who promote sustainable development, protects the economic justice, sustains the peace and security in the region and understand the sacrifices that produced the relative stability enjoyed in the region today.

The NDAPDEJ National Coordinator maintained that Tompolo’s current relevance can be seen in the documented contemporary contributions to national security, pipeline surveillance, employment generation and economic activities in the Niger Delta.

Abraye therefore advised Boyloaf to concentrate on his own record and contributions instead of making endless attempts to diminish the achievements and personality of Tompolo in the Niger Delta region.

“You can build your own legacy without destroying another man’s. You can defend your record without rewriting history. But you cannot demand that the Niger Delta people forget who you were before Tompolo intervened in your life and gave you a purpose in life.”

Signed:
Comrade Freeborn Abraye
National Coordinator
Niger Delta Advocates for Peace, Development and Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ).