Tompolo to Jonathan: Shelve 2027 Ambition for Tinubu

Former militant leader and prominent Niger Delta figure, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, has urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to abandon any potential ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election and instead support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The appeal was made during a recent meeting at Jonathan’s residence in Otuoke, Bayelsa State. Tompolo was accompanied by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), Chief Kestin Pondi, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election, Joshua Maciver.

According to a report by TVC, sources familiar with the discussions, the meeting was expressly political in nature, constituting Tompolo’s second major public appearance in over a decade and forming part of wider consultations to convince the former president to “jettison his bid.”

One source disclosed: “Tompolo came to see His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, in his village, Otuoke, on Friday, October 16 in what was a happy reunion since they have not met in over one decade. Contrary to the reports in the conventional and social media that they discussed issues bordering on peace and security in the Niger Delta, far from that, the meeting was political.”

The source elaborated that Tompolo directly advised Jonathan to “shelve his rumoured presidential bid in 2027.” Although Tompolo acknowledged that the ambition was circulating as “mere rumours,” he advised the former president that “he should shelve the idea if it’s true.”

During the talks, Tompolo reportedly told Dr. Jonathan that the “public mood does not support his aspiration” and that “the psyche of the citizens of the Niger Delta and indeed of the majority of Nigerians favoured the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.” He emphasised that the former president might not enjoy “home support” should he choose to run under any political platform, urging him to “support President Tinubu in the spirit of continuity.”

The former militant leader was said to have advised Jonathan “not to be persuaded and not to give in to those political calculations that he could unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections. He stated categorically that the psyche of the citizens of the Niger Delta and indeed of the majority of Nigerians favoured the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.”

Tompolo further argued that Jonathan’s potential chances were weakened by “the recent public statement made by his wife, Patience, endorsing President Tinubu for re-election and the recent resignation of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, from PDP and his planned defection to APC.”

The source added that Tompolo made a strong case for President Tinubu’s performance, stating that “nobody can defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in a free and fair electoral contest in view of his superlative performance in less than 3 years in office. He said most reasonable and right-thinking Nigerians want President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue in office beyond 2027 to enable him to continue in the saddle till 2031.”

Concluding his appeal, Tompolo “enjoined President Jonathan to join the vanguard for the re-election of Tinubu in 2027,” while issuing a caution that “a contrary action will surely not going to be in his interest and in the overall interest of his people of the Niger Delta.” He assured Jonathan that he “does not have to defect to APC,” and could “remain a statesman to work and deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term of office.”

In response, sources indicated that Dr. Jonathan listened “with rapt attention” and promised to consider the advice, noting that he “acknowledged wisdom in his submissions.”

Another source said: “President Goodluck Jonathan appreciated Tompolo for his visit and acknowledged his wise counsel on the political permutations ahead of the 2027 general elections. President Jonathan promised to review his counsel and make public his decisions in the future.”

While Tompolo departed without speaking to the press, Dr. Jonathan addressed reporters, framing the discussion around regional stability.

He stated, “Since I left office, we have not seen each other. Tompolo is one young man, who has played a key role in the unity of our people. There are issues people have been complaining about, so I decided to ask him so that we can have conversations to ensure the Niger Delta remains peaceful. He (Tompolo) has contributed significantly to the peace and the protection of oil installations.”