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Tag: Ateke Tom

  • Supreme Court verdict averted bloodshed in Rivers, says Ateke Tom

    • Supports Buhari’s anti corruption crusade

    A former leader of a Niger/Delta militant group, Ateke Tom, has said the verdict of the apex court that affirmed the victory of Nyesom Wike as the governor of Rivers State averted bloodshed and killings that could have happened in re-run election in the state.

    Ateke, who spoke yesterday at his family house in Ngeme-Biri Komju, Okrika Local Government Area of the state, alleged that killings, rape, intimidation and harassment of innocent people were already ongoing before the Supreme Court judgment, adding that the rulling has reduced tension in the state.

    “Rivers State was set for another bloody killings before the judgment. If you look at the security situation in the state, you will understand that killings, rape, intimidation injustice and harassment were ongoing before the Supreme Court verdict.

    He warned youths of the region to desist from any act capable of sabotaging the economy of the country, and cautioned youths in the state who are planning to hijack the national and state House of Assemblies elections in the state to give peace a chance.

    He also urged Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, stressing that the president is a nice man.

  • Ateke: Supreme Court verdict averted bloodshed in Rivers

    Ateke: Supreme Court verdict averted bloodshed in Rivers

    Former Niger Delta ex-militant leader,  Ateke Tom has said the verdict of the apex court that affirmed  Chief  Nyesom Wike as the governor of Rivers State averted bloodshed and killing that could have taking place during governorship re-run election in the state.

    Ateke who spoke Friday at his family house in  Ngeme-Biri Komju,  Okrika Local government of Rivers State  alleged that killing , rape, intimidation and harassment were ongoing before the supreme court judgment.

    He added that the ruling has reduced tension and averted deaths of innocent citizens of the state.

    He accused some politicians in the state of using the military to intimidate Governor Wike’s supporters in the name of searching for illegal arms.

    He said his house was the next to attack before God used the Supreme Court Judges to stop them.

    “My brother Rivers State was set for another bloody killing; if you look at the security situation of the state you will understand that killing, rape, intimidation injustice and harassment were ongoing before the Supreme Court verdict.

    “They started with Wike Supporters; houses were being raid by military in the name of retrieving illegal arms. A lot of people were killed; you can imagine somebody like me who is a peacemaker in Niger Delta region was targeted. My house was the next; I thank God for what had happened.”

    On the resumed attack on the oil pipelines in Niger Delta region, Ateke said those blowing up pipelines are on their own. He warned Niger Delta youths to desist from any act capable of sabotaging the Nigeria economy.

    He cautioned youths in Rivers State who are planning to hijack the national and state house of Assemblies elections in the state to give peace a chance and allow election to take place under the atmosphere of free and fair election.

    The ex-war lord, also called on Nigerian to support President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign, stressing that Buhari is a nice man and only need the support of all to succeed if he stays away from wrong advices.

  • Ateke Tom: Niger Delta’ll support Buhari

    Ateke Tom: Niger Delta’ll support Buhari

    Former leader of the Niger Delta Vigilance Movement (NDVM) “General” Ateke Tom has said the Niger Delta people will support the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

    He also said ex-militants, having embraced the Federal Government’s amnesty programme, would not return to the creeks, the defeat of President Jonathan notwithstanding.

    Ateke spoke at the weekend at his Okrika home at an interactive session with reporters.

    The ex-militant said he would continue to believe in the Ijaw cause, even as he admonished youths, especially those from the Niger Delta, to shun violence.

    “We (Niger Delta’s ex-militants) are ready to work with Muhammadu Buhari. We believe in Buhari’s ability to perform well and move Nigeria forward. Nobody will return to the creeks to fight or break pipelines. I am one of the top fighters in the Niger Delta. Nobody should follow anybody to the creeks. The boys (youths) should embrace peace,” Ateke said.

  • Olu-Browns pays tributes as Ateke Tom celebrates birthday

    Olu-Browns pays tributes as Ateke Tom celebrates birthday

    As Niger Delta leader, Chief Ateke Tom celebrated his birthday last Saturday, his close friend and alies, Chief Olu-Browns Olubunmi, CEO Steroil Marine Services Limited and Mr. Raymond Morgan pay glowing tributes to the man who alongside others fought for the ongoing emancipation of the Niger Delta region.

    Ateke Tom took up arms against the federal government of Nigeria to fight against the degradation of the Niger Delta region, a situation that has led to the improvement of lives and infrastructure as well as drew more development to the region.

    Brown, in a tribute, described Ateke as a “powerful force to reckon with in the South South region of Nigeria. Ateke Tom has being a good friend he merits all the best wishes on his birthday. He is the most amazing person I have ever met. He is a true friend and brother,  that is why I am wishing him a very happy birthday to you.”

    Chief Olu-Browns is of the opinion that the Niger Region is better off after the struggles by Chief Ateke Tom. “Yes, the region has witnessed tremendous development all thanks to the struggles by Chief Ateke Tom. The region owes him a lot because the struggle is ongoing until the Niger Delta is totally emancipated and her people enjoying their resources.”

    Ateke Tom is a philanthropist, he has been supporting people from all sectors especially entertainers and Nollywood practitioners. His doors are opened 24 hours for any entertainer either in Nollywood or the music scene. Everyone, at least almost everyone at his Palatial home in Okrika Rivers State had one issue or the other that they want Tom to solve ranging from the fund to shoot a movie, re-launch a music career or shoot a big budget music video among many others.

    “Ateke Tom has touched many lives and he does not get tired of doing that,” Chief Olu-Browns said adding, “You never leave his presence the same way you came. You must have a smile on your lips. That is why I am wishing this wonderful man a happy birthday and praying that God gives him many more years to be kind to humanity. Happy birthday Father!”