Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly being urged by Niger Delta leaders to drop any plan to contest the 2027 presidential election and instead support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid. According to The Punch, former militant leader Tompolo led the delegation that met Jonathan in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on October 16.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly under pressure to abandon any plan of contesting in the 2027 presidential election and instead back President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.
According to The Punch, Niger Delta leaders have urged him to “forget about returning to power” and to “support President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid instead.”
Former militant leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, is said to be leading the move. He visited Jonathan in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on October 16, alongside Tantita Security boss High Chief Kestin Pondi and APC’s 2023 Bayelsa deputy governorship candidate, Joshua Maciver.
The meeting, described as Tompolo’s “first major public appearance in almost ten years,” reportedly lasted for hours — a sign “of how serious his mission was.”
While some reports claimed the talks were about peace in the Niger Delta, insiders said Tompolo “went there to ask Jonathan not to contest for president again but to support Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.”
A close ally of Jonathan confirmed, “The meeting took place.”
