The Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, has dismissed allegations against High Chief Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo and the newly sworn-in President of the Ijaw National Congress, INC, High Chief (Barr) Macdonald Igbadiwei.

IPDI, in a statement signed by its National President, Austin Ozobo, described the allegations as “malicious, baseless, and aimed at inciting unnecessary conflicts and destabilization of the Ijaw nation.”

Ozobo said the allegations contained in a recent press release by a faceless Niger Delta Reformed Youths were a deliberate attempt to discredit a legitimate electoral process and incite division among Ijaw people.

According to the group, there were no law and moral implications against people close to Tompolo contesting an election. They added, “even the devil will support people who are close to him contesting for elections or looking for a position in the government, so it is not a crime that Tompolo is supporting people who are close to him to achieve their dreams. So dragging Tompolo on the INC matter, is unnecessary and childish”.

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“It is worth noting that Tompolo for the interest of peace and respect for constituted authority, leaves his country home in Oporoza, Delta State and travelled to Bayelsa Government house to see Governor Douye Diri to address various concerns arising from the INC election. But the self-styled governor general of the Ijaw nation disrespected him and went ahead to make obnoxious and unfounded orders. This is very unfortunate, as it does not tell well about his acclaimed leadership in Ijaw nation” IPDI noted.

“However, Senator Douye Diri should be guided by wisdom and experience, he should know that issues always arise from any electoral process, both in the developed countries and underdeveloped countries. For example, president Bola Ahmed Tinubu election in 2023, His (Diri) governorship election in 2023 in Bayelsa State, the governorship election of Delta State and others, we all know what transpired. When such issues arise people sit and resolve them. Douye is an interested party in the INC election hence he is behaving funny,” IPDI emphasised.

On the traditional rulers, the group said the traditional rulers have an Advisory role to play in INC, and it is not a crime and no moral implications if someone refuses to accept your advice.

“The traditional rulers again are not the law court, they lack power to make a standing order. It should be made clear that even at the time the INC elections were conducted there was no subsisting restraining court order. So Diri should stop this self-promoting fight. Assuming his candidate won there wouldn’t be, the governor saying this or that. It was played out in the Warri INC inauguration, the same CITRE the governor is alleged to have been angry over the election outcome, massively attended the event. So who is fooling who?. So he should be guided about how he goes about the INC issues”, the group asserted.

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“The INC conducted its election in line with its constitution and under the supervision of its electoral committee. The electronic process was adopted, it was free, fair, credible and peaceful. The outcome reflects the will of delegates across Ijaw land. To label it a ‘sham’ without presenting evidence is reckless and dishonorable,” Ozobo stated.

IPDI rejected claims that Igbadiwei abandoned his role as a former member representing Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

The group said Igbadiwei tried his best to represent his people, no human is perfect, and that his defeat in a subsequent election did not amount to betrayal.

“Losing an election is part of democratic practice. To weaponize that against his character is a distortion of political reality and misrepresentation of facts,” Ozobo said.

On Traditional Affairs in the Gbaraun Kingdom, IPDI said chieftaincy matters are governed by the customs of the respective kingdoms and the laws of Bayelsa State.

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The group warned mischief makers to allow the gods to speak for themselves.

“The IPDI urges the public to disregard claims that seek to drag chieftaincy disputes into partisan politics. Such matters are handled by traditional councils and relevant state authorities, not by press statements,” the statement read.

Ozobo urged Ijaw leaders, youths and stakeholders to reject inflammatory language from enemies of the Ijaw nation and focus on the unity and development of the Ijaw nation. He said the INC under Igbadiwei’s leadership had an opportunity to advance advocacy on environmental justice, resource control, and youth empowerment.

“The Ijaw nation cannot afford to be distracted by personal attacks, interest and unsubstantiated allegations. The IPDI stands with a united INC and calls on all sons and daughters of Ijaw land to support the new leadership for the good of our people,” he added.

The IPDI said it would continue to monitor developments and engage stakeholders to ensure peace and stability within the Ijaw socio-cultural space.

Recall, High Chief Macdonald Igbadiwei was inaugurated as INC President on May 14, 2026, following a handover ceremony from outgoing President Prof. Benjamin Okaba in Warri Delta State.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, on Friday declared that the era of impunity in the Nigeria Police was over, just as he promised to upgrade the traffic warden unit of the Force.

The IGP spoke in Benin during his official visit to the Edo State Command where he had an interactive session with officers of the state command.

Disu, who said until the interactive session, he never imagined some of the points raised by the officers of the Command, noted: “I am living here with what they have told me in confidence. And they have been able to open my thoughts.”

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“Now I have one or two things to do when I get back to Abuja. Things I never gave thought to. For example, an officer of the traffic warden stood up and said, for many years now, there have not been recruitments into the corps of traffic wardens. That got me thinking. The traffic warden unit should be upgraded. So when I get back home, we are going to talk about it.”

Speaking on an end to impunity, the IGP, who made reference to the recent incident where a police officer shot dead a civilian who did not struggle at the point of arrest, said: “That’s impunity. You arrested somebody who was not struggling with you, you brought him out in daylight and you shot him.”

He added: “The police rose up to the occasion immediately, tried them, dismissed them, and they are going to charge them in court. That is the meaning of impunity.

“Like I mentioned earlier, the era of impunity is over. We have to have the new Nigerian police force. I know I cannot do it alone, that is why I have come here to talk to them, so that all of us will be on the same page.”

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He disclosed that “they gave me their word that they will have a new police. A new police that the community, the state, the Nigerian people own as our own police.”

Also speaking, the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, urged the IGP to extend his support “to this command in the area of logistics, tactical support, and personal development.”

According to him, “the command intensified high visibility policing, aggressive bush combing, operations, confidence building patrols, and intelligence driven raids across identified criminal hideouts and flash points within the state,” hence the IGP support is needed.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned Nigerians against investing in illegal online investment schemes promoted across social media platforms.

According to the SEC, many of them exhibit characteristics of Ponzi and prohibited investment operations.

In a public notice issued yesterday, the commission was worried about “the increasing promotion of unregistered online investment schemes on social media applications and websites, including WhatsApp, Instagram, Telegram, Facebook, TikTok and other digital platforms”.

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“Many of the investment schemes exhibit characteristics of Ponzi or prohibited investment schemes, while some operators of such schemes also provide unauthorised investment services to members of the public,” the commission said.

It advised Nigerians to refrain from investing in platforms promising unrealistic returns.

It stated: “Accordingly, the Commission hereby advises the public to refrain from investing or participating in any unregistered online investment platform or scheme promising unrealistic or guaranteed returns.”

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SEC also cautioned members of the public against relying on investment advisories circulated online by unregistered persons or entities.

It reminded Nigerians that under the Investments and Securities Act, only entities registered by the SEC are authorised to promote investment services, provide investment advisory services or solicit funds from the public in the Nigerian capital market.