Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly under mounting pressure from key Niger Delta figures to drop his rumored plan to contest the 2027 presidential election, as regional leaders rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that ex-militant leader and Niger Delta activist, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), is leading the campaign to persuade Jonathan to shelve his ambition and instead throw his weight behind Tinubu’s second-term bid.
Tompolo, accompanied by top associates including Tantita Security Services Managing Director, High Chief Kestin Pondi, and APC Bayelsa 2023 deputy governorship candidate, Joshua Maciver, reportedly paid a private visit to Jonathan’s Otuoke residence in Bayelsa State on October 16.
Sources close to both men confirmed that the meeting — Tompolo’s first public appearance in nearly a decade — was primarily political, not just about peace and security as initially reported.
“It is true, the meeting held,” a Jonathan ally said. “Niger Delta stakeholders feel President Tinubu has done much for the region — from the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to the new university approved for Ogoni land. Tompolo came to urge Jonathan to support Tinubu instead of running.”
Another source from Tompolo’s camp described the meeting as “historic,” noting that Tompolo had not personally visited anyone in nearly ten years — a sign of how important the mission was.
Tompolo, who has been a strong supporter of President Tinubu, currently enjoys a renewed multibillion-naira pipeline surveillance contract and leads the ‘PBAT Door-to-Door Movement’, mobilizing grassroots support across the Niger Delta for Tinubu’s re-election.
During the meeting, Tompolo reportedly told Jonathan that most Niger Deltans prefer Tinubu’s continuity till 2031, emphasizing that Jonathan’s rumored return bid would lack regional support.
“Tompolo was frank,” one insider said. “He told Jonathan that even his people no longer favor his comeback. He cited Patience Jonathan’s open endorsement of Tinubu and Governor Douye Diri’s alignment with the APC as proof the region is moving in that direction.”
Another participant said Tompolo warned Jonathan against being influenced by politicians urging him to challenge Tinubu, stressing that the President’s performance so far makes him hard to defeat.
“Tompolo told him that he doesn’t need to join the APC — he can remain a statesman while using his influence to deliver the region for Tinubu,” the source added.
Jonathan, sources said, listened attentively and promised to “consider the advice carefully.”
After the closed-door meeting, the former president told journalists that discussions were focused on peace and development 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 the unity of our people,” Jonathan said. “We discussed how to maintain peace and protect our oil installations.”
However, multiple insiders confirmed that the political dimension dominated the conversation, with Niger Delta elites increasingly aligning with Tinubu’s 2027 campaign.
Meanwhile, former Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa, Udengs Eradiri, dismissed speculation about Jonathan’s return, describing such reports as mere rumors.
“Until Jonathan himself declares, it’s just speculation,” Eradiri said. “He remains a respected figure for his role in the Amnesty Programme, but I don’t think he’s planning any comeback.”
