Tompolo, Niger Delta Leaders Urge Jonathan To Abandon 2027 Presidential Ambition

According to Ireporter Online, former President Goodluck Jonathan is facing mounting pressure from prominent Niger Delta figures to abandon any consideration of contesting the 2027 presidential election and instead support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election.

Sources disclosed that the move is being spearheaded by influential leaders from the region, including former militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo. Jonathan’s close associates and political allies are said to have urged him to drop the idea of returning to the presidential race, emphasizing that both regional and national sentiments appear unfavourable to his ambition.

Tompolo, alongside Chief Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and Joshua Maciver, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election, reportedly met with Jonathan at his Otuoke residence on October 16.

Though the meeting was publicly described as a review session on peace and security in the Niger Delta, insiders revealed that the discussions were largely political. According to a source privy to the meeting, Tompolo appealed to Jonathan to drop his speculated 2027 presidential aspiration, stressing that current public sentiment within the Niger Delta and across the country leans more in favour of President Tinubu’s continued leadership.

Tompolo, who leads the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement—a grassroots platform mobilizing support for Tinubu’s re-election—allegedly cautioned Jonathan against banking on home support, warning that such expectations may not materialize if he decides to contest.

The source further disclosed that Tompolo advised the former president not to be influenced by those suggesting he could unseat the incumbent, insisting that the political tide in the South-South region now favours Tinubu.

It was gathered that Jonathan listened attentively to the counsel and assured his visitors that he would reflect on their advice before taking a final decision.

Speaking briefly to reporters after the meeting, Jonathan dismissed speculations of political motives, explaining that Tompolo’s visit was primarily to assess ongoing peace efforts in the Niger Delta region.