“One Man Can’t Deliver Niger-Delta For Tinubu in 2027!” Asabuja Backs Boyloaf, Demands Pipeline Surveillance Contracts Be Decentralised
By Passman Akpos
Former Niger Delta militant leader Gabriel Asabuja Asaholla, popularly known as General Asabuja, has thrown his support behind General Victor Ben Ebikabowei, also known as Boyloaf, over calls for the decentralisation of oil and gas pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta.
Asabuja, in a post on Monday, October 19, 2026, reiterated Boyloaf’s position that concentrating pipeline surveillance contracts in the hands of one individual or family could undermine inclusive governance and alienate other stakeholders across the oil-producing region.
Sharing a video of Boyloaf’s earlier remarks, Asabuja directly appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the existing pipeline surveillance arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the caption accompanying the video, Asabuja wrote:
“This message goes to Mr President one Man can’t deliver the Niger Delta for you listen” — Gabriel Asabuja Asaholla, a.k.a. General Asabuja.
He also wrote:
“Mr President one Man can’t deliver you 2027 in Niger Delta listen carefully.”
The statement has renewed attention on the debate over who should participate in the management of pipeline surveillance contracts and whether a more decentralised arrangement could accommodate a wider range of Niger Delta stakeholders.
BOYLOAF’S EARLIER MESSAGE TO TINUBU
Boyloaf made the remarks on March 25, 2026, during a strategic meeting in Okochiri Kingdom, where influential Niger Delta figures gathered to discuss regional security, political inclusion and the future of pipeline surveillance.
Those reportedly present included King Michael Ateke Tom, Boyloaf, High Chief “Shoot-at-Sight,” High Chief Egbema 1 and other stakeholders of the Ijaw nation.
During the meeting, Boyloaf urged President Tinubu to demonstrate greater commitment to the people of the Niger Delta, arguing that no single individual could adequately represent or control the interests of the entire region.
“If Mr. President wants to achieve what he wants, he must show love to the people of the Niger Delta. One man cannot control Ijaw land. We are not conquered people,” Boyloaf declared.
He further argued that concentrating surveillance opportunities in the hands of one operator could deepen dissatisfaction among stakeholders who participated in the struggle for resource control and greater regional inclusion.
“You cannot give to one family what belongs to the whole Niger Delta. We will not accept it,” he added.
Boyloaf also alleged that vested interests were misrepresenting the concerns of Niger Delta stakeholders to the Presidency, calling for a reassessment of the existing arrangement.
The allegations have not been independently established in the information available for this report.
WHY ASABUJA’S SUPPORT MATTERS
By amplifying Boyloaf’s message, Asabuja has brought renewed attention to the question of whether pipeline surveillance contracts should remain concentrated or be distributed among multiple qualified operators and stakeholders across the Niger Delta.
The debate touches on several sensitive issues, including regional inclusion, employment opportunities for former agitators, community participation in security arrangements, protection of oil infrastructure and the economic interests of host communities.
Supporters of decentralisation argue that involving more legitimate local stakeholders could improve access to community intelligence, encourage cooperation with security agencies and create additional economic opportunities in oil-producing communities.
Some also contend that a broader surveillance framework could give communities a greater stake in protecting pipelines against vandalism, crude oil theft and illegal bunkering.
However, decentralisation alone would not automatically guarantee improved security. Its effectiveness would depend on transparent contract allocation, proper oversight, clear accountability mechanisms and the capacity of participating operators to deliver measurable results.
The Federal Government and relevant authorities would therefore need to address how any proposed restructuring could be implemented without creating overlapping responsibilities or weakening existing security arrangements.
THE 2027 POLITICAL DIMENSION
Asabuja’s message explicitly connects the pipeline surveillance debate to the 2027 general elections, warning President Tinubu against assuming that one individual could secure the support of the entire Niger Delta.
His intervention reflects a broader argument among some regional stakeholders that political engagement with the oil-producing communities should extend beyond a limited circle of influential figures.
For communities across Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states, the debate also raises questions about employment, environmental protection, economic participation and the distribution of opportunities arising from the region’s oil and gas resources.
While the extent to which the surveillance arrangement will influence voting decisions remains uncertain, the controversy highlights the political significance of how the Federal Government engages with stakeholders in the Niger Delta.
The central question is whether the existing framework adequately accommodates the diversity of interests within the region or whether a more inclusive approach should be considered.
NIGERIANS REACT TO BOYLOAF’S POSITION
The remarks attributed to Boyloaf and amplified by Asabuja have generated supportive reactions from social media users, several of whom called for a more inclusive approach to pipeline surveillance.
One commenter wrote:
“We are not conquered people. I believe in your ideology. Put it into action.”
Another argued that the Presidency should recognise the importance of inclusive governance, writing that the government must understand that fairness and broader participation are important to its relationship with the region.
Other reactions focused on the possible security benefits of involving more local stakeholders.
One commenter stated that decentralisation could reduce pipeline vandalism by encouraging communities to take greater responsibility for protecting infrastructure in their areas.
Another described the proposal as a potential route to long-term stability in the oil sector, arguing that a fairer distribution of opportunities could reduce tensions among competing interests.
Some commenters also linked decentralisation to the fight against illegal bunkering and environmental degradation, suggesting that greater local participation could strengthen intelligence gathering in the creeks.
Others called on President Tinubu to ensure that former agitators and other recognised stakeholders were not excluded from opportunities connected to pipeline surveillance.
However, these reactions represent the views of individual commenters and should not be interpreted as evidence of a consensus across the Niger Delta.
WHO IS GENERAL ASABUJA?
Gabriel Asabuja Asaholla, popularly known as General Asabuja, is a Niger Delta figure associated with former militant activism, entrepreneurship, peace advocacy and entertainment.
He has also been involved in public discussions concerning security and political developments in Rivers State.
In June 2024, the Rivers State Police Command declared him wanted following a viral video linked to the state’s local government political crisis, according to contemporaneous media reports.
Asabuja later became known for his public commentary on regional political and security issues.
His latest intervention places him alongside Boyloaf in advocating a broader conversation about the distribution of pipeline surveillance opportunities and the inclusion of Niger Delta stakeholders.
WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST ADDRESS
The debate raises several questions that deserve clear answers from the relevant authorities:
- Should pipeline surveillance contracts be concentrated among a limited number of operators, or should qualified operators from more Niger Delta communities be allowed to participate?
- What transparent criteria guide the selection of pipeline surveillance contractors?
- How can the government ensure that surveillance contracts create legitimate employment and economic opportunities for host communities?
- What accountability mechanisms are in place to measure the performance of existing contractors?
- Can a more inclusive arrangement strengthen local intelligence and improve the protection of oil infrastructure without compromising security?
- What role should traditional rulers, host communities, former agitators and other regional stakeholders play in shaping the future of pipeline surveillance?
These questions go beyond political alignments. They concern the security of critical national infrastructure, the management of public resources and the relationship between the Federal Government and communities that host much of Nigeria’s oil-producing activity.
CONCLUSION
General Asabuja’s endorsement of Boyloaf’s position has renewed the debate over the concentration of pipeline surveillance contracts and the need for broader participation in the Niger Delta.
Their message to President Tinubu is that the region’s complex political and social landscape cannot be reduced to the influence of one individual or family.
Whether decentralisation would deliver better security, wider economic benefits and stronger community cooperation will depend on the details of the proposed arrangement, the transparency of its implementation and the accountability of participating operators.
For now, the question facing the Federal Government is whether it will maintain the existing framework or engage a broader range of stakeholders in considering possible reforms.
Tarakirivoice will continue to follow the debate over pipeline surveillance, regional inclusion and accountability in the Niger Delta.
