2027: Niger Delta Leaders Urge Jonathan to Drop Presidential Ambition

There are growing pressures on former President Goodluck Jonathan to abandon any plans to contest the 2027 presidential election, with key Niger Delta leaders reportedly urging him to instead support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Sources revealed that former militant leader, High Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is spearheading the campaign for Jonathan to shelve his political ambition. Tompolo is said to be leading a coalition of prominent Niger Delta figures advocating for the continuation of President Tinubu’s administration beyond 2027.

The development follows a recent high-profile visit by Tompolo to Jonathan’s country home in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on October 16. It marked Tompolo’s second major public appearance in over a decade.

Accompanied by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Kestin Pondi, and the APC’s 2023 Bayelsa deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Joshua Maciver, Tompolo reportedly met Jonathan to dissuade him from pursuing another presidential bid.

Contrary to earlier reports suggesting the visit was centered on peace and security in the Niger Delta, insider sources disclosed that the meeting was primarily political.  

According to one source, “Tompolo came to appeal to His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, to drop any plans of running for president in 2027. He told him clearly that the Niger Delta sentiment is not in favour of such a move and that the majority of the region’s leaders support Tinubu’s re-election.”

The source added that Tompolo emphasized the need for unity among southern leaders to ensure continuity of the presidency in the region until 2031. He was said to have reminded Jonathan of his wife, Patience Jonathan’s recent public endorsement of President Tinubu and Governor Douye Diri’s reported defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), both of which, he argued, reflect shifting political loyalties.

“Tompolo told Jonathan that it would be unwise to oppose Tinubu in 2027, given his performance so far and the growing support he enjoys among Nigerians,” the source continued. “He advised Jonathan to remain a statesman and support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, even without joining the APC.”

Another insider confirmed that Jonathan listened attentively to Tompolo’s submissions and promised to reflect on the advice. “President Jonathan thanked Tompolo for his visit and acknowledged the wisdom in his counsel. He said he would take time to consider the discussions and make his position known soon,” the source said.

Tompolo declined to speak to journalists after the meeting. However, Jonathan, addressing reporters briefly, described the visit as a “peace and unity consultation,” stating that their discussions focused on sustaining peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

“Since I left office, we have not seen each other. Tompolo is one young man who has played key roles in maintaining unity in our region,” Jonathan said. “There are issues people have raised, and I felt it was important to engage him so we can ensure continued peace in the Niger Delta.”

While Jonathan downplayed the political undertones of the visit, multiple insiders insist that the meeting was part of ongoing efforts to consolidate Niger Delta support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.