Coordinator of New Nigerian Democratic Evolution (NNDE), Comrade Francis Obule has called on the Federal Government to grant ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo and others total pardon and have them integrated into the Nigerian society.
Making this appeal in chat with newsmen in Warri, the Delta State Coordinator of New Nigerian Democratic Evolution (NNDE), Comrade Francis Obule said that Nigerians will commend the Federal Government of Nigeria if it grants Tompolo and others total pardon and have them integrated into the Nigerian society.
Comrade Obule further said that granting pardon to Tompolo and others would reduce tension building up in Nigeria particularly the Niger Delta region, stressing that June 12 anniversary remains a national issue that everybody are expecting something significant.
He noted that after the first amnesty was granted by late President Musa Yar’ Adua to the ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo and others were integrated into the society to contribute their quota to the development of Niger Delta in particular and Nigeria at large, adding that such gesture by former President Yar’ Adua should be sustained but that it was a surprise that President
Muhammadu Buhari suspended it and placed Tompolo under wanted list.
Comrade Obule stated that since we are celebrating June as democracy day the Federal Government should extend a hand of fellowship to Tompolo by lifting the warrant of arrest placed on him by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
According to him “As a symbol of freedom and practice of democracy, the government can take a look at anybody’s case who has an issue with the state with the aim of granting pardon. The Federal Government should grant Tompolo pardon and reunite him with other Nigerians as a freed man just like what late President Yar’Adua did and this would help to fast-track peace and development of the Niger Delta.
Comrade Obule pleaded with the Federal Government to drop all the charges against Tompolo and set him free. He described the winner of the annulled June 12 presidential election Chief M.K.O Abiola as someone believed and willing to deliver Nigeria from ill of poverty, ethnicity, and injustice that afflicted this country for close to four decades and was massively voted for, but it was scuttled through annulment, stressing that Tompolo was out to play similar role to liberate Niger Delta people from marginalization..
Culled from independent
