The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, has rejected a claim by Niger Delta activist Asari Dokubo that he receives N2.7trn annually from pipeline surveillance contracts.
The monarch, through his Sole Representative to NNPC Limited and its joint venture partners, Collins Edema, described the allegation as false and challenged Dokubo to produce evidence to support it.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the allegation that the Olu of Warri receives ₦2.7 trillion annually from pipeline surveillance contracts is categorically rejected,” he said.
“We challenge Mr. Dokubo to produce the documentary evidence upon which this extraordinary claim is based.”
Edema called for the allegations to be subjected to independent proobe, given the importance of the contracts to the protection of oil and gas infrastructure.
“Pipeline surveillance contracts in Nigeria are not ordinary commercial arrangements,” Edema said.
He called for contracts, procurement records, corporate documents, government approvals, performance reports and regulatory records to be examined where concerns arise over pipeline-security arrangements.
“If wrongdoing is alleged, the appropriate institutions should investigate and establish the facts,” he said.
“And if no wrongdoing is established, politically charged allegations should not be allowed to substitute for evidence.”
Edema further spoke on Dokubo’s history of public criticism over Niger Delta issues, including his past involvement in militancy.
He said that background should neither be used to dismiss Dokubo’s claims nor treated as proof of their credibility.
“The temptation should not be to dismiss everything Dokubo says simply because of his militant past. That would be intellectually lazy,” he said.
“Equally, neither should his reputation as a fierce Niger Delta voice confer automatic credibility on his allegations. His claims must stand or fall on the quality of the evidence supporting them.”
Edema also cited Dokubo’s changing public position on High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and disputes involving the Gbaramatu and Itsekiri communities.
He said Dokubo had previously criticised Tompolo over pipeline security arrangements and related disputes but had more recently defended him and directed his allegations elsewhere..
He also warned that allegations involving the Olu of Warri, Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited, Tompolo and other actors could heighten tensions in the Niger Delta.
“The Niger Delta has paid a heavy price for politics conducted through confrontation and inflammatory rhetoric. It would be deeply unfortunate if old habits of militancy and unguarded speech were allowed to reopen ethnic anxieties that responsible stakeholders are trying to put behind them,” the statement added.
“Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo relations require responsible leadership, not rhetoric that can easily be interpreted as provocation.
“Whoever makes the allegation should provide the evidence. Whoever is accused should have the opportunity to respond,” he added.
“Pipeline security is ultimately about more than contracts. It is about protecting national assets, safeguarding economic activity and securing an important part of Nigeria’s economic survival.”
