In response to Alhaji Asari Dokubo’s declaration to oppose President Bola Tinubu’s potential re-election in 2027, notable ex-militant leader and Mayor of Urhoboland, Eshanekpe Israel, also known as Akpodoro, has asserted that Dokubo is free to align with any candidate of his choice.
Akpodoro made these remarks during a press conference in Abuja over the weekend, at a roundtable conference organized by a pro-Tinubu coalition supporting the President’s 2027 re-election bid.
Akpodoro acknowledged Asari Dokubo’s influence and position among his peers, emphasizing that Dokubo’s stance reflects his personal views rather than the sentiment of the entire Niger Delta region. According to him, the people of the region remain steadfastly aligned with Chief Government Ekpemukpolo, popularly known as Tompolo or the ‘GOC.’
Addressing journalists, Akpodoro expressed that the Niger Delta region has witnessed significant socio-economic improvements under Tinubu’s administration, contrasting it with the challenges faced in the past. He argued that the progress achieved benefits the region as a whole, rather than catering to the desires of a single individual.
“Tinubu’s presidency emerged through the collective will of Nigerians, including Niger Deltans, who voted for him in 2023. His administration is not the making of one man,” Akpodoro remarked.
The Mayor assured that the Niger Delta would strongly support President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 to allow him to complete his reformative agenda. He commended the administration’s equitable approach to governance, noting its efforts to empower the next generation of leaders.
Akpodoro dismissed expectations that Tinubu should cater to individual interests at the expense of regional growth. He highlighted recent government appointments, including that of Dr. Dennis Otuaro as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), and the continuous operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). He praised Tantita Security Services for combating oil theft and contributing to peace in the creeks.
In his concluding remarks, Akpodoro urged Asari Dokubo to wait until 2027 to align with a candidate of his choice while reaffirming the Niger Delta’s collective support for President Tinubu. He described Tinubu as a leader with a transformative touch, committed to building a new Nigeria.
