Key Takeaways
- Bayelsa One Mandate declares support for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid.
- The group backs the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement launched under the patronage of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo.
- BOM commends Governor Douye Diri and his deputy for the massive turnout at the Yenagoa launch.
- The campaign will focus on grassroots engagement, issue-based politics, economic growth, security, and infrastructure.
Bayelsa Group Backs Tinubu's 2027 Ambition
A political pressure group, Bayelsa One Mandate (BOM), has formally declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027, aligning itself with the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement initiated under the patronage of High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo.
The endorsement was announced in a statement issued in Yenagoa and signed by the group's Director-General, Claudius Egba, a legal practitioner and grassroots mobiliser. Egba described the large turnout at Wednesday's launch of the movement's South-South chapter in Yenagoa as a significant step towards mobilising support across the country ahead of the next presidential election.
BOM also commended Governor Douye Diri, his deputy, and other political stakeholders for their participation and for the strong show of support from residents who attended the event.
"The presence of Bayelsa One Mandate group in such impressive numbers underscores our belief in the transformative policies of President Tinubu," Egba said.
A Grassroots Movement Gains Traction
Egba explained that BOM would work with the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement to expand support for Tinubu throughout Bayelsa State and beyond. He said the movement is designed to intensify grassroots mobilisation through direct engagement with voters, rather than relying only on political rallies or elite-level discussions.
"We stand solidly with the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement and call on all well-meaning Bayelsans and Nigerians to join this grassroots campaign for continuity and progress," he added.
According to Egba, Governor Diri, who attended the Yenagoa launch, urged political actors and supporters to ensure that campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections remain issue-based, inclusive, and respectful. The group said it would continue to mobilise support at the community level while advocating policies focused on economic growth, security, and infrastructure development.
Political Significance in the Niger Delta
The endorsement comes at a time when political alignments around the 2027 race are beginning to take shape. Bayelsa, an oil-rich state and the home state of former President Goodluck Jonathan, holds strategic importance in the South-South geopolitical zone. Support from grassroots groups in the region could strengthen Tinubu's electoral calculations and test the strength of opposition coalitions forming across the country.
Tompolo's involvement as patron of the movement adds another layer of political weight, given his considerable influence and visibility in the Niger Delta region. The cooperation between established political groups and community-based organisations may shape the tone of the coming campaign season.
Why This Matters
Bayelsa One Mandate's support reflects the early jostling for the 2027 presidential election, particularly in the South-South, where grassroots networks can help determine political outcomes. The coming months will show whether this endorsement can translate into broader voter alignment and measurable support for Tinubu at the polls.