How Tompolo Moved To Stop Jonathan's 2027 Presidential Comeback - Inside The High-Stakes Niger Delta Power Talks

... As pressure mounts on former President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve his 2027 ambition, Niger Delta power brokers led by Tompolo make a bold political move to secure Tinubu's re-election support base.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly under intense pressure to abandon any plans of returning to Aso Rock in 2027, as top Niger Delta figures, led by ex-militant leader Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), rally support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid.

According to a Vanguard Newspaper report, the move is part of a broader political realignment in the South-South aimed at consolidating Tinubu's influence in the region ahead of the 2027 polls.

Reliable sources disclosed that Tompolo, accompanied by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Chief Kestin Pondi, and APC's 2023 Bayelsa Deputy Governorship candidate, Joshua Maciver, visited Jonathan at his country home in Otuoke, Bayelsa State, on October 16.

The visit, sources said, was not just a friendly reunion but a strategic political dialogue. Tompolo, who also leads the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, reportedly told the former president that Niger Deltans are not disposed to backing his rumored 2027 bid, warning that he may face an uphill battle without regional support.

"Tompolo came to see His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in Otuoke, on Friday, October 16, in what was a happy reunion after over a decade. Contrary to reports that the visit was about peace and security in the Niger Delta, it was purely political,ÔÇØ a source familiar with the meeting told Vanguard.

The source further disclosed that Tompolo advised Jonathan not to be deceived by those urging him to challenge Tinubu in 2027, adding that the "political wind in the region currently favours continuity under the current administration.ÔÇØ

Another insider hinted that Jonathan, after listening attentively, acknowledged the wisdom in Tompolo's counsel and promised to "reflect on the matter carefully before making any public pronouncement.ÔÇØ

However, when journalists approached Jonathan after the closed-door session, he simply stated that Tompolo's visit was to "review the prevailing peace in the Niger Delta,ÔÇØ neither confirming nor denying reports of political discussions.

Political observers say the development signals the emergence of a new Niger Delta alignment, where influential figures like Tompolo are positioning themselves as decisive actors in shaping Nigeria's 2027 presidential equation.