A high-powered delegation led by former Niger Delta militant commander, Tompolo, visited former President Goodluck Jonathan at his Otuoke community in Bayelsa State, urging him to shelve his rumored presidential ambitions in 2027. Instead, Tompolo encouraged Jonathan to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second term bid.
According to sources, Tompolo told Jonathan that his kinsmen in the Niger Delta are largely in favor of Tinubu’s re-election and that he might not secure the much-needed “home support” if he insists on running for the presidency. Tompolo reportedly urged Jonathan to borrow a leaf from his wife, Patience, and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who have both endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
One attendee revealed that Tompolo “came and unequivocally appealed to him to shelve his rumored presidential bid in 2027… 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 allegedly advised Jonathan to join the vanguard for Tinubu’s re-election, warning that a contrary action would not be in his interest or the overall interest of his people in the Niger Delta. Jonathan reportedly listened to Tompolo’s counsel and promised to consider his advice.
When approached for comment, Jonathan merely stated that Tompolo’s visit was to review the prevailing peace in the region, without addressing the political aspects of the meeting.
