TheCable

Ziakede Akpobolokemi, director-general of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), wants those who are bothered about his relationship with Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, to direct their inquiries to God.

Responding to a question during a press conference in Lagos, Akpobolokemi admitted that he has a close relationship with the former commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND),  but said “being friends with anyone does not necessarily mean that we share the same ideology”.

“Tompolo [pictured with Emmanuel Uduaghan, governor of Delta states] and I are Ijaws from the Niger-Delta and God created it so. It is not me that created myself and it is not me that created the other person.

“I don’t think it is fair for anybody to ask me: ‘Why is this person your friend or brother?’ You should rather query God on why He created someone my brother.

“I have known so many persons for over 30 years. So whether I am DG today or would not be DG tomorrow, some of the friends I grew up with would continue to be my friends.

“Being friends does not mean I may share same ideology with you on every subject matter. You may stand on the principle that I disagree with and vice versa.”

Akpobolokemi denied the allegation that NIMASA awarded some contracts to Global West Vessel Service allegedly owned by Tompolo, but he said the ex-militant is a Nigerian and should not be denied whatever he is entitled to.

“We should be happy we have freedom of information bill. I have said it in details that people should go to Corporate Affairs Commission and enquire about who the owner of Global West is?” he asked.

“Corporate Affairs will give you the names of members of the board, managing director and all that. But let me also state this even if it is Tompolo that owns the company and he has genuine capacity to be involved in legitimate activity. Is he not a Nigerian? Why must we deny him?”

Tompolo, once declared “the most wanted man in Nigeria”in 2009 during the administration of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, is known to be a staunch ally of President Goodluck Jonathan.