The second term bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Monday, got a boost with the Founder, Tantita Security Services Limited, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo) and the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSTCOM)  announcing the endorsement of Tinubu by the Niger Delta for a second term come 2027.

While contending that no leader anywhere in the world can build the future in four years, they said this had made it imperative to allow the president another four-year tenure.

HOSTCOM National President Dr Benjamin Styles Tamaranebi and other supporters of Tompolo, made the position known at a press conference in Abuja.

He said the decision was arrived at by the Niger Delta stakeholders following Tinubu’s track record in the last two years.

Tamaranebi said: “When he assumed office, oil production was plummeting, and debt servicing consumed nearly all revenue. Many doubted his ability to lead, but Tinubu rolled up his sleeves and got to work. In less than two years, the results speak for themselves.”

Declaring a ‘no vacancy’ stand in Aso Rock, they said their choice of Tinubu was informed by how the Nigeria leader halted the twin evils of oil theft and pipeline vandalism, which according to them, had made Nigeria’s economy comatose in the last 20 years.

Tamaranebi said:  “We, leaders and indigenes of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas in collaboration with our grand patron, High Chief (Dr) Government Ekpemupolo alias Tompolo, are fully endorsing and committed to supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

“We took this position after a thorough evaluation of Tinubu’s performance in less than two years of his first term and in obedience of clearly unambiguous directives of our patron, Ekpemupolo, who also scored “Mr President high in human development Indices, especially as they favoured the Niger Delta region and believed our President should remain in office till 2031 to enable him to conclude ongoing development initiatives across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“The Tinubu administration is not just fixing the present; it is building the future. Alongside Tompolo, we endorse Tinubu for 2027. Our reason is simple: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered. He has steadied the ship. He has empowered local communities and needs more time to finish what he started.”

They further said: “For decades, oil theft and pipeline vandalism crippled our economy, devastating the lives of host communities. Through strategic partnerships with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL) and other security agencies, Tinubu has reduced oil theft to historic lows.

“Oil production has surged from a mere 600,000 barrels per day to 1.8 million. Nigeria is reclaiming its rightful place in the global oil market. More importantly, security in the Niger Delta has significantly improved, curbing crude oil theft and ensuring that resources serve the nation.

“Politics is about choices. In 2027, Nigerians must choose between continuity and chaos, between stability and the unknown.

“The future cannot be built in four years. It takes patience, persistence, and vision—qualities Tinubu has consistently demonstrated. His leadership has been a turning point for Nigeria, setting the nation on a path to prosperity. It is crucial to consolidate these gains rather than disrupt progress,” the group also noted.  

HOSTCOM also applauded the Tinubu administration for successfully implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), ensuring billions of naira flow into community trust funds for local development projects such as schools, hospitals, and water schemes in nearly 200 locations across the Niger Delta.

Tamaranebi, who cautioned against disrupting the ongoing initiatives said: “But stability requires time and continuity. A change in leadership now would bring uncertainty and risk reversing the progress made so far.”

They also listed the infrastructure development under the administration to include; “ Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, now under construction;     Sokoto-Badagry Highway,  set to enhance connectivity between the North and South-west;     East-West Highway, Benin-Warri Highway, Asaba-Benin Highway, and Abuja-Benin Highway, under construction or rehabilitation, and     Second Niger Bridge Access Road , officially flagged off last week.”

Additionally, the group acknowledged the administration’s focus on energy security, citing successes in the Dangote Refinery as well as the revival of the Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries.

The stakeholders who also commended Tinubu for signing the South-South Development Commission Bill into law, appealed to him on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers state, and urged all parties to embrace peace.

The HOSTCOM leader highlighted Tinubu’s economic policies and strategic reforms, particularly in tackling dwindling crude oil production and excessive debt servicing.

“When he assumed office, oil production was plummeting, and debt servicing consumed nearly all revenue. Many doubted his ability to lead, but Tinubu rolled up his sleeves and got to work. In less than two years, the results speak for themselves,” the communities said.

…On Rivers political crisis

While commending President Tinubu for signing the South-South Development Commission Bill into law, the stakeholders appealed for his intervention in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers state which recently led to the proclamation of emergency rule in the state.

“We want to seize this opportunity to appeal and beg Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to use his good offices to ensure an amicable resolution of the political imbroglio, which has engulfed River State. We urge Mr. President to prevail on the warring groups in Rivers State to sheathe their swords and embrace peace in the interest of the people.

“We know and trust that Mr. President has the capacity to restore peace and sanity in the crisis-torn state. We are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that even his detractors are now better informed as he has silenced them and changed the landscape of our beloved country for good,” they pleaded.

At the media parley were Chairman Traditional Rulers of the People of South-South Chief Ese Omafuakpo; Chairman Council of Chiefs Chief Obong Udo and the Adua Tein 1 of Ijaw Izonbe Timi Alaibe.