“You Want To Play God? Await More Shocks!” — Apostle Osia Blasts Tompolo Over Traditional Rites
By Passman Akpos
Niger Delta activist and cleric, Apostle Ezekiel Perela Osia, has launched a blistering attack on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, over his reported participation in traditional religious ceremonies, accusing him of placing traditional spiritual practices above the Christian God.
Osia, in a strongly worded statement, criticised what he described as Tompolo’s repeated participation in traditional festivals and rituals involving libations and offerings, arguing that such practices were incompatible with his Christian beliefs.
His comments come amid continuing public debate over the role of traditional religious practices in Niger Delta cultural festivals and the controversial pipeline-surveillance operations associated with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.
According to Osia, activities involving the pouring of libations and the presentation of food and other items during traditional ceremonies amount to the promotion of what he described as “voodooism” and other practices he considers spiritually unacceptable.
He further alleged that some ceremonies associated with Tompolo involve offerings of food and drinks into waterways and other ritual activities, describing them as environmentally questionable.
However, reports on the 2026 Amaseikumor Festival in Gbaramatu Kingdom describe the event as an important Ijaw cultural and spiritual celebration. Vanguard reported that the festival included traditional rites, offerings and the pouring of libation, with Tompolo playing a prominent role in the proceedings.
Osia went further to question what he sees as Tompolo’s growing influence over oil-sector security arrangements in the Niger Delta.
He argued that the emergence of other state and institutional actors in oil-facility surveillance could eventually reduce the dominance of private security contractors in the sector.
“Can you see Delta State government coming into policing of oil facilities with the acquisition of specialised vessels to survey pipelines?” Osia asked, presenting the development as what he believes could signal a gradual restructuring of the region’s security architecture.
Tantita Contract Was Renewed
Contrary to the claim that Tantita’s contract has not been renewed, available reports indicate that the Federal Government approved a renewal of the pipeline-surveillance contract in 2026.
Several Niger Delta stakeholder groups publicly commended President Bola Tinubu for the renewal, while others have called for the contract to be decentralised or reviewed.
The controversy has therefore shifted from whether the contract was renewed to broader questions about its structure, accountability, geographical coverage and the role of private companies in protecting Nigeria’s critical oil infrastructure.
In March 2026, a rights group also called for the termination of the contract, arguing that the continued reliance on a private company for pipeline surveillance raised questions about transparency, equity and national security.
Osia Predicts More “Shocks”
Despite the reported renewal, Osia maintained that the political and institutional environment surrounding Tompolo’s influence could change significantly.
He described the developments as signs that what he called Tompolo’s “empire” could eventually face major restructuring.
Osia also issued a religious warning to Tompolo, declaring that he believed the latter had placed too much emphasis on traditional spiritual powers.
“The Almighty God rebuke this hell and grandiose diabolical assignment,” Osia declared.
He concluded by warning Tompolo to expect what he described as “more shocks,” insisting that the changes taking place around oil-facility surveillance should not be ignored.
The allegations and religious characterisations made by Osia remain his views and have not been independently established as facts. Tompolo and Tantita have continued to receive support from various Niger Delta stakeholders, while critics have continued to demand greater scrutiny and restructuring of the surveillance arrangement.
