By Tunde Oso

The Mayor of Urhoboland and industrialist, Eshanekpe Israel, popularly known as Akpodoro, has called for calm amid rising tensions between the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) and Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), a private security firm led by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a. Tompolo.

In a statement issued through the Head of the Association of Urhobo Mayoral Family Crown (AUMFC) and made available to Vanguard on Sunday, Akpodoro emphasized that no private or public institution has empowered Urhobo people like TSSNL.

The call for peace follows UPU’s recent demand that the Federal Government terminate TSSNL’s oil infrastructure surveillance contract in Urhoboland and reassign it to an indigenous Urhobo security outfit—an action Akpodoro described as “divisive and premature.”

He stressed that TSSNL has empowered many Urhobo traditional leaders, President-Generals, and youths across oil-producing communities and therefore should be embraced rather than attacked. “TSSNL has done more than anyone in Urhoboland to lift our youths out of poverty,” he said.

Akpodoro also addressed historical grievances surrounding the awarding of the surveillance contract. He noted that part of the contract covering Urhoboland was previously sublet to a firm allegedly owned by a younger brother of a high-ranking senator from the 9th Assembly. According to him, that senator, being a politically exposed person, was undeserving of such a role and failed to deliver meaningful development.

“I dragged that senator before the Urhobo traditional institution but there was no serious pushback from the UPU. Now the same man who hijacked the contract is not empowering our youths, treating the proceeds like his personal income,” he said.

Akpodoro contrasted this with the consistent support and empowerment efforts led by TSSNL figures such as Chief Keston Pondi and Tompolo himself. He recalled a landmark meeting in June 2024, when he led Urhobo youth leaders to visit Tompolo in Gbaramatu Kingdom. The meeting, he said, rekindled the brotherhood between the Urhobo and Ijaw nations, and laid the groundwork for increased cooperation against oil theft.

“Tompolo promised to develop a working template that would accommodate more Urhobo youths through the UPU Youth Wing. But while we await that plan, we now hear discordant voices calling for TSSNL’s removal. This is unfortunate and ill-timed,” he lamented.

Akpodoro appealed to the UPU leadership to reconsider its stance, describing any move to oust TSSNL as “uncharitable and damaging” to Urhobo interests.

“TSSNL is the biggest industry in the Niger Delta. Rather than condemn it, the UPU should commend the firm for standing tall in its commitment to a better Urhobo nation. We should not destroy our own,” he stated.

He further praised Tompolo, Chief Pondi, and Dr. Dennis Otuaro for their roles in uplifting Delta youths and urged renewed unity between the Urhobo and Ijaw nations.

“Let us build on our shared values of peace and progress. Urhobo and Ijaw cannot afford to be at odds. I call for peace, understanding, tolerance, and stronger bonds of brotherhood. TSSNL deserves our support, not condemnation,” Akpodoro concluded.