Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube, the Beleukoriwei (Pathfinder) of Arogbo Ijaw Kingdom, has dismissed as false reports alleging that High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, offered him money and arranged a private jet to persuade him to attend the recently concluded Ijaw unity gathering in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
In a statement titled “Let Truth Guide Our Conversation,” Ajube said the claims circulating on social media were completely untrue and urged members of the public to disregard them.
According to him, neither money nor a private jet was offered, provided or arranged by Tompolo in connection with his attendance at the gathering.
> “At no time did High Chief Government Ekpemupolo offer me money in connection with the gathering, nor did he provide, arrange or offer me a private jet to influence my attendance,” Ajube stated.
He said his absence from the gathering should not be interpreted as evidence of personal hostility, betrayal or conflict among Ijaw leaders.
Ajube acknowledged that differences of opinion among leaders, elders, stakeholders and communities were natural, particularly on issues concerning the Ijaw nation, but maintained that such disagreements should be handled honestly and responsibly.
He warned that manufacturing stories about events that never occurred could undermine genuine efforts toward unity and reconciliation.
The Arogbo Ijaw leader also expressed concern over what he described as continuing publications and comments by Mr. Freeborn Abaraye concerning his person.
While acknowledging Abaraye’s right to disagree with his views, Ajube urged him to base his public commentary on facts and ideas rather than what he described as rumours, personal attacks and unverified allegations.
Ajube further cautioned social media users and media platforms against attributing statements to individuals without verification.
He said he had recognised channels through which he communicates with the public and would personally take responsibility for any position he publicly expresses.
> “Whenever I have something to say, I will say it myself, put my name to it and accept responsibility for it,” he said.
He therefore urged the public and the media to disregard statements or positions attributed to him that were neither authored by him nor issued through his recognised communication channels.
Ajube stressed that attaching his name or photograph to a publication did not automatically make such a publication authentic.
Reiterating his position, the Ijaw leader said Tompolo did not offer him money or arrange a private jet to persuade him to attend the Yenagoa gathering.
He concluded by calling on Ijaw leaders and stakeholders to embrace honest disagreement, constructive debate and responsible public communication.
“If we genuinely seek unity, truth must be where we begin,” Ajube said.
