Fresh details have emerged over the recent visit of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, a prominent Niger Delta activist and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, to former President Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Otuoke, in the Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on Friday.
The discussions centered decisively on the 2027 presidential election, where Jonathan is expected to challenge President Bola Tinubu robustly. …click link for full details here
He was accompanied by the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Hon. Joshua Maciver, and the the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, among others.
Jonathan told newsmen that he invited Tompolo over because of complaints by some people and to also discuss the sustenance of the peace in the Niger Delta region.
He said: “Since I left office, we have not seen. Tompolo is one young man that played key role in the unity of our people, but today’s visit, you know he is been handling this security issue in the Niger Delta and I remember as Vice president, I visited his camp to bring peace to the Niger Delta, and there are issues that people are complaining about, so I decided to call him so that we can have conversations along those lines. So that people will be carried along to make sure that the Niger Delta continues to be peaceful. That is why he came to see me.
“So I appreciate his visit, because he is somebody we appreciate. He has contributed significantly to the peace in the Niger Delta and the security of the oil installations.”
Tompolo has been indirectly involved in the forthcoming presidential election, which Jonathan is speculated to be considering.
An ally of Jonathan while in office, Tompolo is now seen to be aligning with President Bola Tinubu.
Recently, he was seen in a viral video encouraging Nigerians to vote for Tinubu in 2027.
Earlier in June, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi, the Protem National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, had announced Tompolo as the group’s grand patron, saying they aim to gather 10 million votes for Tinubu in 2027.
Recently, Tompolo was seen in a viral video encouraging Nigerians to vote for President Bola Tinubu during the 2027 elections, because, according to him, the president has done well.
In June, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi, the Protem National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, had announced Tompolo as the group’s grand patron, saying they aim to gather 10 million votes for Tinubu in 2027.
Despite Jonathan’s disclosure of the discussion with Tompolo and the reason for their meeting, there are unconfirmed reports that he came to persuade Jonathan against contesting in 2027.
A source, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed that a prominent Niger Delta activist recently spoke with the former president about the upcoming 2027 election.
During their conversation, the activist encouraged him not to heed the calls from those urging him to challenge President Tinubu in the election. Instead, he advised Jonathan to avoid running and to focus on being a respected elder statesman both within Nigeria and beyond.
