Former President Goodluck Jonathan is once again facing growing calls to shelve his plans of contesting in the 2027 presidential election. Fresh reports indicate that influential voices from the Niger Delta region are mounting pressure on him to instead lend his weight to the re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu.
According to findings by Zoyols Blog, former militant leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is spearheading a strong regional movement persuading Jonathan to step aside from any presidential bid and throw his full support behind Tinubu’s second-term pursuit.
Reliable sources revealed that Tompolo, alongside a delegation of close allies—including High Chief Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, and Joshua Maciver, the 2023 APC deputy governorship candidate in Bayelsa State—paid a discreet visit to Jonathan at his Otuoke residence in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on October 16.
The closed-door meeting reportedly stretched for several hours and marked Tompolo’s first public appearance in nearly a decade—a clear signal of how significant the mission was.
While early reports claimed the discussions revolved around peace and security in the Niger Delta, inside sources told Zoyols Blog that the true motive was purely political. The meeting, according to those familiar with the talks, was designed to convince Jonathan to abandon any presidential aspirations and rally behind Tinubu’s 2027 campaign instead.
A close associate of Jonathan, who confirmed the meeting but requested anonymity for lack of authorisation to speak publicly, verified that the visit indeed took place, adding that its tone and message were unmistakably political.
As the political atmosphere begins to heat up ahead of 2027, the moves within the Niger Delta suggest a brewing realignment that could reshape the dynamics of Nigeria’s presidential race once again.
