General Siemens Nisor Bekes Cautions Daniel Ezekiel Against Insults on Tompolo, Gbaramatu Leaders

General Siemens Nisor Bekes Cautions Daniel Ezekiel Against Insults on Tompolo, Gbaramatu Leaders, 

By EgbemaVoice 

The Niger Delta former warlord and Edo State General, Chief Siemens Nisor Bekes, has cautioned Egbema youths and other Niger Delta youths against insulting High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpomupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, the GOC and Ibidouwei of Ijaw-Ibe, as well as other prominent Gbaramatu leaders.

General Siemens Nisor Bekes specifically condemned the use of harsh language, social media attacks, and the circulation of videos or other materials on Facebook pages and groups aimed at insulting or disparaging Tompolo and other Gbaramatu leaders, including Dr. Dennis Burutu Otuaro, High Chief Kestin Pondi, Engr. Mathew Tonlagha, and others.

According to him, it is not advisable for any son or daughter of the Niger Delta to insult Tompolo, considering the sacrifices he has made and continues to make for the development, peace and interests of the Niger Delta region.

He urged Niger Delta youths to exercise restraint and maturity when expressing their opinions, stressing that disagreements should be addressed through dialogue and constructive engagement rather than personal attacks and social media abuse.

General Bekes also cautioned Comrade Daniel Ezekiel over alleged comments and publications directed at Tompolo, advising him to respect Niger Delta elders and leaders.

He maintained that no individual should consider himself above the established bonds of relationship and solidarity among Niger Delta communities.

The General particularly stressed the historical and fraternal relationship between Egbema Kingdom and Gbaramatu Kingdom, noting that the two communities share longstanding bonds that should be protected by their younger generations.

He therefore appealed to Egbema youths and other Niger Delta youths to stop using social media as a platform for insults and character attacks against respected regional leaders.

He called for peace, respect, dialogue and unity among Niger Delta youths, emphasizing that differences of opinion should never become a reason to destroy the bonds that exist among neighbouring communities and their leaders.

He Describes Tompolo as Niger Delta Hero, Condemns Social Media Attacks on Gbaramatu Kingdom

He described High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, as a hero and a major contributor to the development and security of the Niger Delta region.

According to him, irrespective of whatever grievances or disagreements anyone may have with Tompolo, his contributions to the Niger Delta should be acknowledged and respected.

He noted that it is unrealistic to expect everyone to benefit at the same time from opportunities provided through Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, stressing that lack of immediate personal benefit should not become a reason to blackmail, insult or attack the GOC.

He further condemned what he described as the indiscriminate abuse of Gbaramatu Kingdom and its leadership on social media, saying that disagreements with an individual should never be extended to an entire kingdom or its traditional and community leaders.

“Even if you have an issue with an individual from Gbaramatu Kingdom, it is wrong to begin insulting the entire kingdom and all its leaders on social media. That is unacceptable and shows a lack of responsible behaviour.”

He therefore called on youths and other stakeholders to embrace dialogue, maturity and respect for traditional institutions, rather than resorting to social-media attacks, blackmail and divisive statements.

He maintained that differences of opinion are normal in any society, but such differences should be addressed through constructive engagement without dragging an entire kingdom or its leadership into personal disputes.

General Siemens Nisor Bekes further cautioned Egbema sons and daughters against allowing personal interests or what he described as “peanuts” to make them publicly undermine the dignity and collective interests of Egbema Kingdom.

He said some individuals, through their actions and statements, have created the impression that Egbema is divided and vulnerable, thereby giving outsiders the opportunity to undermine the kingdom.

According to him, Egbema has faced decades of marginalisation and political disadvantages, while neighbouring ethnic groups have, in his view, benefited from stronger political and governmental advantages in both Edo and Delta States.

General Bekes therefore charged Egbema youths to rethink their approach, put aside personal differences and work together toward the development and advancement of Egbema Kingdom and the wider Ijaw nation.

He recalled that Egbema Kingdom has made significant sacrifices for the Ijaw nation, noting that its people have lost lives and shed blood during struggles for the protection and advancement of the Niger Delta.

“Egbema has sacrificed for the Ijaw nation. We have lost souls and shed blood. Many of our youths died during the Niger Delta struggle. Yet, I have never had any reason to fight against another Ijaw kingdom,” he said.

General Bekes stressed that attacking neighbouring Ijaw communities is not consistent with the values and traditions of Egbema Kingdom.

He maintained that Egbema is an integral part of the Ijaw nation and that the strength of the Ijaw nation is inseparable from the unity of its constituent kingdoms.

“Egbema is Ijaw, and Ijaw is Egbema. Egbema stands for the Ijaw nation, and we are still standing for the Ijaw nation,” he declared.

He further noted that the presence of Egbema sons and daughters across different Ijaw communities demonstrates the historical bonds and unity that exist among the Ijaw people.

According to him, individuals who publicly disgrace themselves through abusive or divisive conduct should not be regarded as speaking for the entire Egbema Kingdom.

He urged Egbema youths to reject actions capable of bringing the kingdom into disrepute, stressing that the openness and accommodating nature of Egbema people should not be mistaken for weakness.

General Bekes called on traditional leaders, youths and other stakeholders to work collectively, protect the dignity of Egbema Kingdom and pursue dialogue, unity and strategic cooperation for the future of the kingdom and the Ijaw nation.