Former President Goodluck Jonathan has thrown his weight behind All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants seeking various elective offices in Bayelsa East ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jonathan disclosed his position during a visit by a delegation of party leaders and candidates to his residence in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The delegation was headed by former Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd.), and included the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, as well as the state APC Chairman, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba.
The meeting was convened to introduce the party’s candidates to the former president and seek his support as a prominent political figure from the senatorial district.
Speaking during the visit, Jonah called on Jonathan and other influential stakeholders to identify with the candidates, whom he described as competent individuals with the experience and leadership qualities needed to deliver effective representation.
He expressed optimism that their emergence would strengthen governance, protect the interests of the electorate and accelerate development across their respective constituencies.
The APC’s senatorial candidate, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, was among those presented to the former president.
Also introduced were Hon. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, PhD, who is vying for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency seat, and Barr. Jude Amidator Rex-Ogbuku, the party’s candidate for Ogbia Federal Constituency.
Several candidates seeking seats in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly were equally unveiled.
For Nembe, they included Hon. Oteigbanyo George Braah, Hon. Edward Brigidi Irigha and Hon. Alalibo West for Constituencies 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
The Brass Assembly candidates were Hon. Daniel Charles, Hon. Timi Agala and Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere.
In Ogbia, the party presented Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain, Hon. Godknows Obein and Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Constituencies 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
Following the presentation, Jonathan praised the candidates, observing that many of them had established themselves through their competence, past achievements and professional experience.
He thereafter gave them his goodwill and charged them to uphold the trust of the electorate if elected into office.
Jonathan emphasised that political participation should be motivated by the desire to bring positive changes to society, rather than the ambition to occupy public positions.
He urged the candidates to make development their priority by attracting projects and opportunities capable of improving living conditions in their constituencies and the state at large.
The former president also appealed to political leaders and other stakeholders to sustain cordial relationships, peaceful engagement and unity among the people of Bayelsa.
He noted that a peaceful political environment was vital for the state’s continued growth and prosperity.
In a related development, Jonathan’s name has featured in the unfolding political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
In August, the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forwarded his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its presidential flagbearer.
However, the electoral body declined the submission, explaining that all nominations must be processed through its approved electronic portal.
INEC’s Director of Voter Education and Publicity, Victoria Eta-Messi, maintained that the commission’s guidelines require the use of its dedicated platform.
The Turaki-led faction rejected the explanation, with its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, alleging that the commission failed to provide the access codes needed to complete the online process.
He insisted that the faction had submitted its candidates’ names manually in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026.
