Ex-President, Jonathan Meets With Tompolo [Details]

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday hosted Niger Delta activist and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, at his country home in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Tompolo, whose private security firm is handling the contract for the protection of oil installations in the Niger Delta region, arrived at the former president’s residence shortly after noon.

He was accompanied by the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Hon. Joshua Maciver, and the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, among other aides and associates.

Speaking with journalists after the closed-door meeting, Jonathan explained that the visit was primarily to discuss ways to sustain the peace and stability of the Niger Delta.

“Since I left office, we have not seen. Tompolo is one young man that played a key role in the unity of our people,” Jonathan said.

“Today’s visit, you know he has been handling this security issue in the Niger Delta. I remember, as Vice President, I visited his camp to bring peace to the region. There are issues people are complaining about, so I decided to call him so that we can have conversations along those lines, to make sure that people are carried along and the Niger Delta continues to be peaceful.”

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The former president commended Tompolo’s contribution to regional peace and national security, especially in the protection of oil assets.

“I appreciate his visit because he is somebody we hold in high regard. He has contributed significantly to the peace in the Niger Delta and the security of oil installations,” Jonathan added.

Tompolo, a former militant leader and long-time ally of Jonathan during his presidency, has in recent times drawn attention for his growing political engagements.

The ex-warlord, now seen as aligning with President Bola Tinubu, was recently featured in a viral video urging Nigerians to support the president’s re-election bid in 2027, praising Tinubu’s leadership performance.

Earlier in June, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi, the Protem National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, announced Tompolo as the grand patron of the group, which aims to mobilise 10 million votes for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

Although Jonathan clearly stated that his discussion with Tompolo centred on Niger Delta peace and inclusion, there were unconfirmed reports suggesting that the visit might have been politically motivated.

Sources close to both men hinted that part of the conversation may have touched on Jonathan’s 2027 political future, with speculations that Tompolo’s team sought to dissuade the former president from contesting.

Neither Jonathan nor Tompolo, however, made any public comment on that aspect of the meeting.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday hosted Niger Delta activist and Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, at his country home in Otuoke, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Tompolo, whose private security firm is handling the contract for the protection of oil installations in the Niger Delta region, arrived at the former president’s residence shortly after noon.

He was accompanied by the 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Hon. Joshua Maciver, and the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, High Chief Kestin Ebimorbowei Pondi, among other aides and associates.

Speaking with journalists after the closed-door meeting, Jonathan explained that the visit was primarily to discuss ways to sustain the peace and stability of the Niger Delta.

“Since I left office, we have not seen. Tompolo is one young man that played a key role in the unity of our people,” Jonathan said.

“Today’s visit, you know he has been handling this security issue in the Niger Delta. I remember, as Vice President, I visited his camp to bring peace to the region. There are issues people are complaining about, so I decided to call him so that we can have conversations along those lines, to make sure that people are carried along and the Niger Delta continues to be peaceful.”

The former president commended Tompolo’s contribution to regional peace and national security, especially in the protection of oil assets.

“I appreciate his visit because he is somebody we hold in high regard. He has contributed significantly to the peace in the Niger Delta and the security of oil installations,” Jonathan added.

Tompolo, a former militant leader and long-time ally of Jonathan during his presidency, has in recent times drawn attention for his growing political engagements.

The ex-warlord, now seen as aligning with President Bola Tinubu, was recently featured in a viral video urging Nigerians to support the president’s re-election bid in 2027, praising Tinubu’s leadership performance.

Earlier in June, Comrade Sunday Adekanbi, the Protem National Coordinator of the PBAT Door-2-Door Movement, announced Tompolo as the grand patron of the group, which aims to mobilise 10 million votes for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

Although Jonathan clearly stated that his discussion with Tompolo centred on Niger Delta peace and inclusion, there were unconfirmed reports suggesting that the visit might have been politically motivated.

Sources close to both men hinted that part of the conversation may have touched on Jonathan’s 2027 political future, with speculations that Tompolo’s team sought to dissuade the former president from contesting.

Neither Jonathan nor Tompolo, however, made any public comment on that aspect of the meeting.