
News
Fubara will return soon,’ Tompolo speaks on Rivers crisis
Niger Delta chieftain and Chairman of the Federal Government-contracted private pipeline surveillance outfit, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Government Ekpemupolo
Niger Delta chieftain and Chairman of the Federal Government-contracted private pipeline surveillance outfit, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has broken his silence on the political crisis in Rivers State.
He assured all that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, “will return to his post.”
Tompolo made the remarks on Saturday during his 54th birthday celebration held at Aziza Temple in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State.
He also weighed in on the recent report regarding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s delineation in the Warri federal constituency.

Expressing concern, Tompolo said some individuals had accused him of betraying the Ijaw nation by remaining silent on the suspension of Fubara.
He, however, emphasised his lifelong dedication to the Ijaw cause, saying, “I can’t betray the Ijaw nation I have been fighting for all through my life.”
While acknowledging his long-standing friendship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Tompolo noted that Ijaw people were instrumental in Wike’s rise to power as Rivers State governor.
He appealed to aggrieved Ijaws not to respond to Wike’s recent comments, which many see as insulting to the Ijaw nation.
“Ijaw is no longer at that level,” he said.
Tompolo assured both the people of Rivers State and the Ijaw nation that “Governor Sim Fubara will soon return to office as Governor.”
“Talks are ongoing to resolve the differences between both Wike and Sim Fubara,” he added.
Speaking further, he declared: “I have sat on the throne of my father, and all that is lost will return to glory. The Ijaws will never be a conquered people. If Ijaws choose to go to war, the heavens will join us. I have never fought a battle and lost.”
He called on Ijaws to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu, saying: “Let’s continue to support President Tinubu. He will bring all the good things we desire to the Ijaw nation. He is not a bad person.”
On the contentious issue of ward delineation, Tompolo emphasised peaceful coexistence between the Ijaws and Itsekiris:
“We and the Itsekiris are not at war. They know the truth. The Gbaramatu town of Omadino is 40 years older than all the Itsekiri communities. So why fight someone older than you? They know that if you put all the Itsekiri towns together, they are not close to the population in Okerenkoko. So, INEC only revealed the truth.
“For those instigating war, the Olu of Warri is a maternal son of Gbaramatu. So you see, we are one people. Would you fight your own people?” he asked.
On the Rivers State crisis, Tompolo reiterated his commitment to peace and unity, “Because I have not spoken, they say I have betrayed the Ijaw nation, but I cannot betray the Ijaw nation. I have spent all my life fighting for Ijaw. But we have passed the stage of responding to Wike’s kind of statement. We are no longer at that level.
“I assure you that Governor Fubara will return back as governor. We are already discussing. Both he and Wike are like father and son. Before he became governor, many Ijaws were against him, yet Wike was instrumental to his emergence, just like we also supported Wike.
“And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all. We will dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again Fubara will return to his seat.”
He also issued a strong warning regarding Bayelsa State, “But you see that Bayelsa—as we are all here—our eyes are there. That is our home. If you try Bayelsa, you will die. Governor Diri and I may differ in opinion, but we are Ijaws. Bayelsa is the home of all Ijaws.
“Those who are still carrying guns against their fellow Ijaws, it’s time to love ourselves.”
PUNCH
News
Butcher Stabs Colleague To Death Over Disagreement On Market Sanitation In Ogun
A 21-year-old butcher, identified as Selim Ayodele, has allegedly stabbed his 26-year-old colleague, Ibrahim Wasiu, to death following a disagreement over sweeping their workplace in Ogun State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday, October 18, at a cow meat-selling outlet in the Alagbole area of the Akute/Ajuwon satellite towns in Ifo Local Government Area of the state.
According to reports, trouble started after the day’s business activities when the two colleagues disagreed over the cleaning of their sales outlet, with the argument allegedly escalating into a fatal confrontation.
The Ogun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, confirmed the incident to journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, disclosing that the suspect had been arrested.
Babaseyi said the incident was reported at the Ajuwon Police Divisional Headquarters on Sunday night, prompting police operatives to commence an investigation.

He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the disagreement began after the two men had concluded their day’s work at the meat-selling outlet.
During the altercation, Ayodele allegedly picked up a knife and stabbed Wasiu in the left side of his chest before twisting the weapon.
The victim was reportedly rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The police spokesperson added that the suspect remained in custody as investigations continued ahead of his prosecution.
He further disclosed that the deceased’s body had been deposited in the morgue of a private hospital for an autopsy.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to prompt response to criminal incidents, thorough investigations and the prosecution of offenders in accordance with the law.
The police commissioner also urged residents to exercise restraint, resolve disagreements peacefully and promptly report criminal incidents to the appropriate authorities.
News
Why Pete Edochie wept in Ghana
FRED IWENJORA reports that very brave Okonkwo of “Things Fall Apart”, Ebubedike, the Ononenyi of Nteje, Anambra State, and Ibobo Oyi na Omambala shed tears uncontrollably during this tour especially when students and pupils of Knutsford University used his name for different forms of recitations and poetry.
One may ask why Pete Edochie traveled to Ghana?
This visit was for the launching of the Pete Edochie Legacy project, themed “Celebrating the Africa legend; The lion that needs not to roar”.
It is “a cultural initiative created to honor and celebrate one of Africa’s most revered figures” according to the Ghanaian project organisers.
The Legacy project includes a biographical book, a documentary series and international tour with Ghana serving as the launch pad.

The publishers, KPL publishers had noted that the contributions of the 79-year-old screen star to Africa cinema are very noteworthy.
At the end of it all, the star actor had, aside unveiling his autobiography in a gala event, paid courtesy calls to industry and policy makers in Ghana including the visit to Ghana’s Goldbod, the body regulating everything gold in Ghana. Organisers saw the visit as an important segment of the tour because a visit to Ghana may have been incomplete without seeing first hand the reason the country was called Gold Coast.
He had also met and greeted select fans and featured in a public lecture and colloquium in his honor before returning to Nigeria.
From when he landed at Kotoka International Airport Tuesday 29th September, 2026 till his departure from Ghana on Wednesday 7, October 2026, there was no dull moment.
Reception was top notch and indeed out of this world.
Ghanaians as well as Nigerians left businesses and trouped out to see “the president of African screen” according to Elizabeth Ama Tetteh, one of his numerous Ghanaian fans who noted that she had been resident in Enugu, Nigeria. It was indeed heartwarming to see Ghanaian as well as Igbo cultural groups on hand to welcome him to the old Gold Coast. Dispatch riders led his motorcade out of the airport.
On arrival, he first paid a courtesy visit to Eze Dr. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, Onyendu Ndi igbo, Ghana and sued for peace between Nigeria and Ghana. The respected Eze Ihenetu had organised a congregation of Igbo and Ghanaian leaders for a traditional cocktail reception.
According to the major propeller of the project Kelvin King Dawie of King Dawie Publishing Ltd (KPL) “When people ask why Pete Edochie, I tell them that no honor for Pete Edochie is too big. He has very much distinguished himself on the continent of Africa and beyond as a custodian of the cultural heritage of Africa and has been consistent in it for decades since mounting the stage at the tender age of 15. He is well known and received a lot of honors and awards globally including Nigeria’s national honor of merit; MON.
“We also looked at the way he has distinguished himself on stage and in communication which has warranted him receiving Honorary Doctorate in Literature and creative arts.
On this continent, Pete Edochie is one of a kind and he needs to be projected and celebrated as that icon of Africa who has held high the heritage of Africa for over six decades of his acting life.
King Dawie, an accountant, business strategist and social impact leader also hinted that “the project is in four phases, the autobiography, a 16-episode documentary to properly chronicle his life’s journey and then also the African youth mentorship initiative to help him pass on information to the next generation and an international tour. It took a lot of several efforts from several people too numerous to mention to set this ball rolling and hopefully achieving. We also remain very grateful to our star guest for accepting our proposal. ” However, there are major take-aways from these nine days Pete Edochie “Presidential visit” to Ghana.
Cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak
Years back, Africa viewers had voted Pete Edochie as their main choice in (AMVCA).
However, this Ghana visit is International cultural diplomacy at its highest African peak.
It seems first in history that a film star would make so much impression in another country that a book would be written and unveiled on him in that country.
It also reveals that Nigeria and Ghana have co-existed as West Africa’s beloved Anglophone countries despite hiccups occasioned by various ‘Ghana must go’ or ‘Nigeria must go’ agitations.
And to see both Nigerians and Ghanaians under one roof because of Pete Edochie, animosities may have been doused even if for a moment.
The unveiling of the autobiographical book; Titan of Africa, the story of Pete Edochie, published by KPL Publishers was a big attraction on its own and first of its kind for a Nigerian actor. The event which held at Kempiski Accra drew together distinguished Ghanaians with highlights including his meeting with Ghanaian legendary actress, broadcaster and musician Grace Omaboe, known to many as Maame Dokono. He also met with 102 years old Warrant Officer 1 and WW2 veteran, Pa Joseph Ashitey Hammond. Their tight hug meant that this meeting for the WW2 veteran was highly anticipated like the story of the nunc dimitis contained in the synoptics.
There are pointers to the huge respect that he commands in the so called Gold Coast and that Africa is so culturally connected in many ways.
Another take away from the tour was that the man Pete Edochie is very well blessed and his star never seems to dim as years roll by.
Despite that he is bound to the wheelchair and could barely walk or sits on the chair in his current films, fans continue to adore him from far and near. (Saturday Vanguard)
News
Four Shot as NDC Convoy Attacked in Ebonyi, Campaign Vehicle Burnt
Four people were reportedly shot when a convoy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) came under attack in Ebonyi State, with one of the campaign vehicles set ablaze.
The incident occurred during a campaign movement in the state, according to sources familiar with the development.
The identities and conditions of those injured were not immediately available at the time of filing this report.
The motive for the attack remained unclear, while the attackers had yet to be identified.
Security agencies were expected to investigate the incident and determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and burning of the campaign vehicle.

Further details were awaited from the NDC, the Ebonyi State Government and the relevant security authorities.
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