YEANEGOA: Fresh pressure is mounting on former President Goodluck Jonathan to drop his alleged plan to contest the 2027 presidential election, as influential figures in the Niger Delta push for a united regional endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that ex-militant leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is spearheading the movement urging Jonathan to shelve his ambition and support Tinubu’s second term.
Sources confirmed that Tompolo, accompanied by close allies including High Chief Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and Joshua Maciver, APC’s 2023 Bayelsa deputy governorship candidate, paid a private visit to Jonathan at his Otuoke residence in Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, on October 16.
The meeting, which reportedly lasted several hours, marked Tompolo’s first public appearance in nearly a decade, underscoring the significance of his mission.
Although early reports suggested that discussions focused on peace and security in the region, multiple credible sources confirmed that the meeting was largely political.
According to insiders, Tompolo’s main message was that Jonathan should step aside from any presidential plans and throw his weight behind Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.
A close associate of Jonathan, who spoke anonymously, confirmed the meeting took place, saying It is true, the meeting held.
Niger Delta stakeholders believe President Tinubu has done much for the region the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the university approved for Ogoni, and several other projects.
The consensus is that we should back Tinubu’s re-election. That was Tompolo’s mission.
Pressed further on Jonathan’s political intentions, the source added, “Yes, he was considering it.
Another insider from Tompolo’s camp described the meeting as “historic,” stressing that it was the first time in ten years Tompolo had visited anyone privately an indication of the meeting’s weight.
Tompolo, a staunch Tinubu ally, currently oversees a multibillion-naira pipeline surveillance contract, renewed from the Buhari administration.
He also leads a grassroots network called the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, mobilising support for Tinubu across the Niger Delta.
Sources disclosed that Tompolo told Jonathan that Niger Deltans were no longer disposed to backing his rumored comeback. Tompolo was frank with him, one insider said.
He told the former President that the region’s sentiment now favours Tinubu continuing until 2031.
Tompolo reportedly urged Jonathan to emulate his wife, Patience Jonathan, and Governor Douye Diri, both of whom are said to have aligned with the pro-Tinubu movement.
He pointed out that Mrs Jonathan has endorsed Tinubu, and Governor Diri’s quiet move toward the APC shows where the tide is flowing, the source explained.
According to another participant, Tompolo cautioned Jonathan not to be swayed by politicians encouraging him to challenge Tinubu, warning that such a move would lahome support.
He told him point-blank that no one can defeat Tinubu in a fair contest considering his performance so far,” the source said.
Tompolo further advised that Jonathan could back Tinubu as a statesman without formally joining the APC, using his influence to deliver the Niger Delta in 2027. Jonathan, sources said, listened attentively and promised to carefully consider the advice.
President Jonathan appreciated Tompolo’s visit and acknowledged the wisdom in his counsel,” another insider revealed. “He promised to review the suggestion and decide soon.”
While Tompolo declined to speak to reporters afterward, Jonathan told journalists that the meeting focused on maintaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta.
Since I left office, we haven’t seen each other,” he said. “Tompolo has contributed greatly to peace and the protection of oil installations. We discussed ensuring continued unity in the region.”
Despite Jonathan’s diplomatic remarks, multiple insiders insist that political persuasion dominated the talks, especially as Niger Delta elites increasingly back Tinubu’s re-election.
Meanwhile, Udengs Eradiri, former Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa, dismissed reports of Jonathan’s presidential ambition as mere speculation.
I am not aware that Jonathan is running,” Eradiri said. “Until he declares, it’s just rumour. And it’s normal for Tompolo to visit him out of respect.”
He added that Jonathan remains deeply respected in the Niger Delta for his pivotal role in the Amnesty Programme, which helped stabilise the oil-rich region.
Any day, any time, Jonathan is a leader revered by Tompolo and others,” Eradiri concluded. “Whether political persuasion took place or not, I cannot say—but as of now, Jonathan has not declared any ambition.”
