“Tompolo, Asari Endorse Tinubu For 2027, But Who Benefits?” — Israel Joe Questions Self-Interest As Niger Delta Communities Suffer

By Passman Akpos

Niger Delta activist Comrade Israel Joe has criticised Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and Asari Dokubo over their perceived support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that their political positions do not necessarily reflect the interests of ordinary people in the oil-rich region.

Joe, in a strongly worded statement, accused the prominent former militant leaders of prioritising their personal interests over the broader demands for development, environmental justice and economic opportunities in the Niger Delta.

The activist questioned the benefits that ordinary Niger Deltans have received from years of agitation against perceived marginalisation by the Federal Government, particularly following the introduction of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and the award of pipeline surveillance contracts.

According to him, many residents of the region continue to face poor infrastructure, environmental degradation, inadequate access to clean water and insecurity despite the economic importance of the Niger Delta to Nigeria.

‘We Supported Their Agitation Against Federal Government’

Joe recalled that during the height of militant activities in the Niger Delta, many residents supported calls for resource control, environmental protection and an end to what they considered the region’s political and economic marginalisation.

He said some activists and commentators defended the militants during military operations and portrayed them as fighters for the rights of the region’s people.

Joe also claimed that writers and advocates helped shape the public image of the militants by documenting their activities and presenting their struggle as part of a broader campaign against injustice.

However, he questioned whether the original objectives of the agitation had been achieved for the benefit of the wider population.

He argued that the peace arrangements that followed, including the Amnesty Programme and pipeline surveillance contracts, had not adequately addressed the fundamental challenges confronting many oil-producing communities.

Pipeline Surveillance Contracts Under Scrutiny

The activist specifically questioned whether pipeline surveillance arrangements had delivered sufficient benefits to ordinary Niger Deltans or primarily benefited a limited number of individuals.

He argued that the region’s demands went beyond securing oil infrastructure and maintaining uninterrupted petroleum production.

According to Joe, the central issues that fuelled the agitation included environmental pollution, underdevelopment, unemployment, poor roads, inadequate healthcare and the lack of basic amenities in communities that host oil and gas operations.

He maintained that the continuation of these challenges raises questions about the extent to which the gains associated with the peace process have translated into improved living conditions.

Joe’s comments reflect a broader debate about the management of oil wealth, the distribution of economic benefits and the accountability of individuals and organisations involved in pipeline protection across the Niger Delta.

However, his allegations about the personal motivations of Tompolo and Asari Dokubo remain his own assessment and would require supporting evidence. Their positions on the issues raised were not included in the statement provided.

Oil Spills, Poor Roads And Insecurity Remain Concerns

Joe also highlighted what he described as the continuing hardship faced by residents of rural and riverine communities across the region.

He cited the lack of reliable access to clean drinking water, poor road and bridge infrastructure, oil pollution affecting fishing activities and insecurity threatening farmers.

The activist questioned why communities that have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s petroleum revenues continue to experience these difficulties.

He also raised concerns about reports of attacks on farming communities, arguing that the protection of lives, livelihoods and ancestral lands should remain central to any meaningful regional development agenda.

For Joe, the Niger Delta’s struggle should not be reduced to political endorsements or the preservation of commercial arrangements but should focus on securing measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary people.

‘A New Dream Must Be Dreamt’

Invoking the legacies of Niger Delta environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa and Isaac Adaka Boro, Joe called for a renewed vision of regional advocacy.

He argued that the next phase of the struggle should prioritise collective development rather than the interests of a small group of individuals.

According to him, the region needs a new generation of advocacy focused on environmental justice, accountability, improved public infrastructure, economic opportunities and the protection of community rights.

Joe insisted that no individual should automatically be regarded as the representative of the entire Niger Delta simply because of past militant activities, political influence or involvement in pipeline surveillance arrangements.

He maintained that the legitimacy of regional leadership should be measured by its contribution to the welfare of the people.

Questions About The Future Of Niger Delta Advocacy

The statement has raised important questions about the relationship between former militant leaders, political authorities, oil infrastructure protection and the development expectations of Niger Delta communities.

Among the issues emerging from Joe’s criticism are whether the benefits of pipeline surveillance contracts are reaching host communities, whether existing environmental remediation efforts are adequate and whether the Amnesty Programme has fulfilled its broader peacebuilding and reintegration objectives.

The questions also extend to the responsibility of governments, oil companies and community leaders to ensure that the region’s natural resources contribute to sustainable development.

While Tompolo and Asari Dokubo have been prominent figures in the Niger Delta’s militant history, their current political positions should not automatically be treated as representing every community or interest across the diverse region.

Joe’s intervention underscores the continuing disagreement over who speaks for the Niger Delta and what the region should expect from those who have assumed prominent roles in its political and economic affairs.

For the activist, the central issue is whether the next chapter of Niger Delta advocacy will produce tangible improvements for ordinary residents or leave longstanding grievances unresolved.

The ultimate test, his argument suggests, is not the political influence of individual leaders but whether Niger Delta communities can enjoy clean water, safe livelihoods, decent infrastructure, environmental protection and a fair share of the benefits generated by their natural resources.

Source: Statement attributed to Comrade Israel Joe, identified with the hashtag #TableBreaker. The criticisms and allegations in the statement have not been independently verified, and responses from Tompolo, Asari Dokubo or their representatives were not provided.