••Defection of Bayelsa Governor and endorsement by Ogbia monarchs leave former President isolated ahead of 2027.
Last week’s visit of traditional and political leaders of Ogbia kingdom in Bayelsa and Rivers states to Abuja where they pledged support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election may have forced former President Goodluck Jonathan to rethink his own ambition, sources close to the ex-president have revealed.
Before the visit by Ogbia leaders, offered the sources, former President Jonathan, an Ogbia son, who is believed to be under pressure by some powerful political interests in the north to run against Tinubu, was reportedly uncertain about contesting.
They, however, stated that the recent defection of the Governor of Jonathan’s home state, Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri, from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to Tinubu’s All Progressives Party (APC), and the endorsement of Tinubu by his kinsmen, may have helped the former president make up his mind not to run, at least in 2027.
On the delegation which met President Tinubu last Wednesday at the State House were Obanobhan Ogbia 111, His Royal Majesty Dumaro Charles Owaba; Obanobhan Emeyal, His Royal Majesty Wapabiama Amakiri and Olalebhu Abureni, His Royal Majesty, Collins Daniel, as well as the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
HRM Collins Daniel, who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, said the people of the kingdom had benefited immensely from President Tinubu, adding that the least they could do was to support him to return in 2027.
“In light of the above, it is our firm belief that Mr President has done us well and as such we cannot help but to reciprocate your kind gesture by inviting Mr President to contest the next Presidential election,” said the royal father, affirming, “you have the full support of the Ogbia Kingdom. Mr President, we are behind you.”
Also speaking, the MD of the NDDC said the delegation had come to express appreciation for President Tinubu’s leadership style and the confidence he had reposed in sons and daughters of Ogbia through key national appointments, which it said had rekindled hope and reinforced faith in his administration.
“We have come first and foremost to express our heartfelt appreciation for your inclusive leadership and the confidence you have reposed in our sons and daughters through their recent appointments and re-appointments into key national positions,” he said.
The Ogbia leaders singled out the performance of the NDDC under Dr Ogbuku, noting that since his appointment on August 29, 2023, communities across Ogbia Kingdom and the wider Niger Delta had witnessed “unprecedented infrastructural and human capital development.”
“Suffice it to say that virtually every community in Ogbia Kingdom and in the Niger Delta now enjoy solar lights at night, which has significantly illuminated the Niger Delta and boosted economic activities,” the delegation stated, adding that the interventions had “to a large extent curbed insecurity in the Kingdom and the entire region.”
They listed road construction, ecological projects, upgraded health facilities and youth empowerment programmes such as Project HOPE in technology, agriculture, arts and green energy as part of the NDDC’s achievements, describing President Tinubu’s choice of Ogbuku as “not misplaced.”
“Your appointment of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku sends a clear message of your confidence in indigenous leadership and reinforces the trust of the Niger Delta people in your Renewed Hope Agenda,” noted the leaders, and concluded by pledging their “unalloyed loyalty and support.”
