“Governor Diri, Open Your Eyes Before Bayelsa Is Lost! — Wariyai Warns: ‘Don’t Be Deceived by Ijaw Unity’; Accuses Tompolo of Taking Bayelsa’s Share, Giving Crumbs and Building a Personal Empire”

By Passman Akpos

A fresh political controversy has erupted in the Niger Delta following scathing allegations by Chief Pius Wariyai, who accused former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, of allegedly taking control of resources meant for Bayelsans and giving only “crumbs” to some of the people who support him.

Wariyai expressed disappointment that some Niger Deltans, despite what he described as the region’s long history of struggle and sacrifice, now openly celebrate Tompolo

“It is a pity to see some Niger Deltans singing the praises of Tompolo,” Wariyai said, alleging that Tompolo’s activities have caused significant damage to Bayelsa and its people.

According to him, Tompolo’s alleged objective is to gain overwhelming control of Bayelsa’s financial and economic interests and transform the state into what he described as a personal business empire, allegedly operating under the slogan of “we are one Ijaw people.”

Wariyai Questions Diri-Tompolo Relationship

Wariyai also criticised Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri over his relationship with Tompolo, saying the governor could be making what he described as a “very big mistake.”

He questioned why Governor Diri, whom he described as the “Governor-General of the Ijaw nation,” would maintain cordial relations with a man whom he alleged had previously worked against Diri’s political interests.

Wariyai claimed that Tompolo had fought against Diri and worked to frustrate his second-term ambition.

He further alleged that several individuals who stood with Governor Diri during his political battles with Tompolo are now suffering, while the governor has allegedly failed to adequately empower or support them.

“Where Are the Missing Bayelsans?”

One of the most serious allegations raised by Wariyai concerns people he claimed were allegedly kidnapped from Bayelsa.

He described it as unacceptable, in his view, for the state government to welcome Tompolo while allegedly failing to publicly demand answers over the whereabouts of citizens whom he claimed disappeared.

Wariyai questioned the advice being given to Governor Diri, suggesting that the governor’s advisers may not be adequately drawing his attention to what he considers the critical issues confronting Bayelsa and the wider Ijaw nation.

He urged the governor to confront what he described as a deeper crisis within the Ijaw political family rather than allowing ceremonial displays of unity to overshadow unresolved grievances.

“INC Unity Day Is Not Real Unity”

Wariyai also took aim at the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Unity Day celebrations, describing the event as “fake” because, according to him, fundamental issues affecting Ijaw people remain unresolved.

He argued that genuine unity cannot be achieved merely through public celebrations while political disagreements, allegations of marginalisation and unresolved grievances continue to divide the people.

Wariyai called on Governor Diri to demand accountability over the alleged disappearances.

He warned that failure to address such allegations could fuel dangerous suspicions among Bayelsans.

₦2.6bn Pipeline Surveillance Claim

Wariyai further alleged that Tompolo is working against him because of his support for Governor Diri during the last Bayelsa State election.

He claimed that he carried out a pipeline surveillance security job in Bayelsa but has allegedly not received payment of more than ₦2.6 billion.

The allegation could not independently establish the contractual details or payment status from the information available.

Wariyai said the alleged experience was one of the reasons he has continued to demand the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts across the Niger Delta.

According to him, individual states and legitimate stakeholders should have greater responsibility for managing surveillance operations within their respective territories.

“Tompolo Gives You Crumbs From What Belongs to You”

Wariyai’s strongest criticism was directed at supporters who, according to him, celebrate Tompolo for benefits that he argues originate from public or regional resources.

He urged Bayelsans to distinguish between personal generosity and resources allegedly derived from contracts and economic opportunities connected to the Niger Delta.

“Tompolo takes what belongs to you and gives you crumbs, and you turn around to sing his praises like a slave singing for his master,” Wariyai said.

He argued that whatever financial assistance some supporters receive should not automatically be interpreted as Tompolo personally financing them.

Boyloaf Comparison

Wariyai also invoked the name of Bayelsa-born former militant leader General Boyloaf, arguing that the history of the Niger Delta struggle should not be rewritten around one individual.

He recalled the difficult years of the Niger Delta struggle and maintained that Boyloaf and other Bayelsans were among those who played prominent roles.

According to Wariyai, the benefits that emerged from the struggle should be distributed broadly rather than allegedly concentrated in the hands of one person or family.

He contrasted what he described as Boyloaf’s approach to peace negotiations and youth empowerment with what he alleges is Tompolo’s current approach.

Wariyai claimed that when Boyloaf had an opportunity to participate in negotiations that eventually produced a major youth empowerment programme, he did not allegedly exclude other stakeholders or turn the opportunity into a family affair.

For Wariyai, that, rather than personal enrichment, represents the traditional Ijaw principle of collective responsibility.

Call for Presidential Intervention

Wariyai also directed his appeal to the Presidency, urging the Federal Government to reconsider the current structure of pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta.

He argued that concentrating such contracts under one central structure could deepen political tensions and create perceptions of exclusion among communities and stakeholders.

He therefore called for the decentralisation of pipeline surveillance contracts across the Niger Delta, with states and qualified stakeholders playing greater roles in the management of security within their respective areas.

Wariyai argued that such a restructuring would promote fairness, reduce tensions and strengthen national security.

He also urged the Presidency to recognise the experience of other Niger Delta leaders, including General Boyloaf, whom he described as possessing substantial knowledge of the region’s security challenges.

A Larger Battle Over Ijaw Unity

At the heart of Wariyai’s intervention is a broader argument about who controls the political and economic direction of the Ijaw nation.

While proponents of Tompolo point to his influence, regional interventions and role in pipeline security, Wariyai believes the growing concentration of power around one individual risks creating fresh divisions within the Niger Delta.

His comments are therefore likely to reignite debate over pipeline surveillance contracts, the distribution of Niger Delta opportunities, the role of former agitators in regional politics and whether recent Ijaw unity initiatives are addressing the underlying grievances dividing the people.

For Wariyai, genuine Ijaw unity must go beyond ceremonies, slogans and public displays of solidarity.

He insists that questions surrounding economic opportunities, political inclusion, alleged disappearances, security contracts and the distribution of regional benefits must be confronted openly.

Until those issues are addressed, he argued, the Ijaw nation may continue to struggle with the very divisions that its leaders publicly claim to be fighting against.

Tarakirivoice News could not independently verify all the allegations made by Chief Pius Wariyai. Tompolo, Governor Douye Diri and other parties mentioned were not quoted as responding to the specific allegations in the material available for this report.