Amb. Gen. Silas Tamarau-Emi Toruwei ADR, JP, LL
_Peace Advocate | Conflict Resolution Expert.
My attention has been drawn to a publication by Comr. Freedom Abraye, National Coordinator, Niger Delta Advocate For Peace Development And Economic Justice (NDAPDEJ) titled:
“EXPOSING THE EGBEMA LEADERS SPONSORING DANIEL PERELA EZEKIEL
In the publication, it was stated that: “The Silence And Inaction Of The Egbema Leaders In Calling Daniel Perela Ezekiel To Order, Has Clearly Shown To All That They Are The Ones Sponsoring Him To Abuse, Blackmail And Fabricate False Allegations Against Tompolo, Matthew Tonlagha, Kestin Pondi, Dennis Otuaro, Godfrey Pondi And Other Gbaramatu Leaders.”
Amb Gen Silas further stated that _“Hon Alhaji E Omoko (The Bolowei of Egbema Kingdom) and others you’re referring should be distance from what Hon Ezekiel commands online to leadership.”
In the interest of peace, unity and truth in Ijaw Nation, I hereby respond.
1. ON COLLECTIVE BLAME AND UNPROVEN ALLEGATIONS
Leadership in Egbema Kingdom is institutional. It is guided by the Traditional Council, Elders, and due process. To conclude that “silence” means “sponsorship” is speculative and unfair.
Hon. Alhaji E. Omoko, The Bolowei of Egbema Kingdom, and other Egbema leaders have consistently worked for peace between Egbema and Gbaramatu. Their antecedents in conflict resolution are well known across the Niger Delta. It is wrong to drag their revered offices into social media disputes without verifiable evidence.
2. ON ABUSE, BLACKMAIL AND FABRICATION,
Abuse, blackmail and fabrication of allegations have no place in our culture. No responsible Egbema leader supports such acts.
However, the appropriate response to grievances is not counter-abuse online. The right channels are petitions to the Traditional Council, Egbema Youth Council (EYC), IYC Egbema clan, security agencies, and the courts. Trial by social media only widens the gap between Egbema and Gbaramatu two sister kingdoms with shared ancestry.
3. ON THE GBARAMATU LEADERS MENTIONED,
The leaders named High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, Chief Matthew Tonlagha, Chief Kestin Pondi, High Chief Dr. Dennis Otuaro, Chief Godfrey Pondi are critical to peace and development in the Niger Delta.
If there are issues to address, the honourable path is direct engagement and facts, not media attacks that pitch communities against each other.
4. OUR APPEAL
I therefore call on Comr. Freedom Abraye.
1. Desist from generalizing and linking the entire Egbema leadership to individual online comments.
2. Stop the rain of insults on social media. It does not advance peace or economic justice.
3. Use proper channels for complaints and clarification.
4. Prioritize unity. Our region needs development, not division that outsiders will exploit.
Egbema and Gbaramatu are one family. We must not allow propaganda to destroy what our fathers built.
Let us choose dialogue over drama, facts over fabrications, and peace over propaganda.
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