By Sandra Ugwu 

Former President Goodluck Jonathan is reportedly under growing pressure to abandon his alleged plan to contest the presidency in 2027, as prominent Niger Delta figures push him to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Investigations by AnchorNews reveal that ex-militant leader High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is leading efforts to persuade Jonathan to forgo a return to power and rally behind Tinubu.

Tompolo, accompanied by key allies including High Chief Kestin Pondi, Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, and Joshua Maciver, APC’s 2023 Bayelsa deputy governorship candidate, visited Jonathan at his Otuoke residence in Bayelsa State on October 16. The meeting, which lasted several hours, marked Tompolo’s first public appearance in nearly a decade, highlighting the significance of the mission.

Sources told AnchorNews that, contrary to reports suggesting the discussion focused on regional security, the visit was mainly political. Tompolo allegedly urged Jonathan to drop any presidential ambition and back Tinubu’s second-term bid, citing the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the university in Ogoni land, and other projects as examples of Tinubu’s contributions to the Niger Delta.

A close Jonathan associate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said:

“Tompolo came to encourage the former president to support Tinubu. Everyone in the region feels he has done well, and they want him to continue.”

Insiders added that Tompolo warned Jonathan that Niger Delta voters were unlikely to support his return to power, stressing that most regional stakeholders prefer Tinubu to continue in office. He reportedly encouraged Jonathan to follow the lead of his wife, Patience Jonathan, and Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri, who have both aligned with Tinubu’s re-election efforts.

Tompolo is said to have reassured Jonathan that he could remain a respected statesman and support Tinubu without defecting to the APC, using his influence to deliver regional backing for the president. Jonathan reportedly listened attentively and promised to weigh the advice carefully.

After the meeting, Tompolo declined to comment to journalists, while Jonathan emphasized the visit was about peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

“Tompolo is a young man who has played key roles in our unity. We discussed issues affecting the region to ensure peace and protect oil installations,” Jonathan said.

Meanwhile, former Bayelsa Labour Party governorship candidate Udengs Eradiri described claims of Jonathan’s presidential bid as speculative, saying the ex-president remains a respected figure in the Niger Delta due to his role in the Amnesty Programme.