Former president Goodluck Jonathan is under intense pressure to back President Bola Tinubu’s reelection campaign and abandon his rumoured 2027 presidential ambition.
Reliable sources claim that prominent Niger Delta leaders, like as former insurgent commander Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, are leading the pressure.
According to reports, some of Jonathan’s relatives in the Niger Delta have advised him to abandon his intentions to retake power and support Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
According to sources, Tompolo recently paid Jonathan a personal visit at his rural residence in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area, Bayelsa State, to make an appeal. Tompolo is said to have visited on October 16 with Chief Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), and Mr. Joshua Maciver, the APC Deputy Governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election.
Insider reports state that the discussion was mainly political and focused on convincing Jonathan not to run in 2027. According to reports, Tompolo informed the former president that his alleged desire was not supported by the general opinion among Niger Deltans.
Sources revealed that Tompolo told Jonathan that the Niger Delta is largely in favour of Tinubu staying in office. Tompolo is also the leader of the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, a grassroots campaign organisation that supports Tinubu’s reelection. He cautioned that if Jonathan choose to run, he might not get the anticipated “home support.”
Tompolo urged the former president to abandon his rumoured 2027 presidential campaign.
Noting that public opinion in the Niger Delta and throughout most of Nigeria now supports President Tinubu’s reelection, he counselled him not to be influenced by rumours that he may overthrow Tinubu.
Another insider revealed that Jonathan acknowledged the wisdom in Tompolo’s counsel and promised to reflect on it before making his position public.
Speaking briefly to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Jonathan said Tompolo’s visit was to “review the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta,” without confirming or denying discussions about his 2027 political plans.
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