Campaign Vehicles as Tompolo’s Misplaced Priority

With campaigns intensifying across the country ahead of the 2027 general election, a cross-section of individuals, groups and organisations are beginning to dole out resources to support their preferred candidates and political parties of their choice.

While some privately donate whatever they wish, others are not in any way ready to conceal theirs; they chose to be loud about it.

Last week, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, distributed 44 vehicles and other campaign equipment in Borno State in support of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.

Tompolo, who once led the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), has since transitioned into the private sector. 

In 2022, the federal government awarded his Tantita Security Services a pipeline surveillance contract reportedly worth about ₦44 billion annually.

The vehicles and other items were distributed at the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement’s mobilisation event at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Square, College of Education, Maiduguri.

The items included 44 vehicles, 88 speakers, 44 generators, 44 amplifiers and 44 microphones, all running into multi-million naira..

The movement is campaigning for the re-election of President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027.

Speaking at the event, Tompolo, the Grand Patron of the movement, urged residents to support the Tinubu-Shettima ticket, saying the state should reciprocate the retention of Shettima as vice president.

Tompolo who was represented at the event by Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Limited, said the people of Borno should demonstrate the confidence and trust placed in their son by Tinubu and back his re-election bid in 2027.

Before then, he had donated 34 and 30 vehicles to Katsina and Sokoto states, respectively.

While many feel that Tomopolo has the inalienable right to spend his money the way he deems fit, they, however, said the gesture is a misplaced priority.

Many analysts believe he should invest his wealth in the Niger Delta where crude oil that he is benefiting from is produced. Niger Delta is the cash cow of Nigeria but one of the most impoverished regions in the country.

The situation in the Niger Delta should worry Tompolo, not APC campaign, because the ruling party has the resources to fund Tinubu’s reelection.

These are even vehicles that he could have donated to hospitals in Delta or other states as ambulances.