Former President Goodluck Jonathan has formally endorsed 12 All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting the 2027 elections across Bayelsa East Senatorial District, expressing confidence in their capacity, performance, and experience. The endorsement occurred during a high-level delegation visit to his Yenagoa residence, as reported by The Nation.
APC Delegation Presents Candidates to Jonathan
The delegation, led by former Bayelsa Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.), included the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, PhD. The group formally introduced the candidates to Jonathan, recognising him as a prominent leader from the district.
Jonah appealed for Jonathan's support, describing the candidates as individuals with the right capacity, experience, and character to deliver effective representation if elected. He also promised that the candidates would serve their constituents faithfully and contribute to the development of the district and the state.
Full List of APC Candidates for Federal and State Seats
The candidates presented for federal legislative seats were Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli for the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Hon. Jonathan Robinson Obuebite, PhD, for the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency, and Barr. Jude Amidator Rex-Ogbuku for the Ogbia Federal Constituency.
Those presented for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly included Hon. Oteigbanyo George Braah for Nembe Constituency 1, Hon. Edward Brigidi Irigha for Nembe Constituency 2, Hon. Alalibo West for Nembe Constituency 3, Hon. Daniel Charles for Brass Constituency 1, Hon. Timi Agala for Brass Constituency 2, and Rt. Hon. Abraham Ngobere for Brass Constituency 3.
Also on the list were Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain for Ogbia Constituency 1, Hon. Godknows Obein for Ogbia Constituency 2, and Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Ogbia Constituency 3.
Jonathan's Blessings and Call for Peace
Jonathan gave the candidates his blessings and encouraged them to remain committed to the people they seek to represent. He urged them to view politics as a tool for improving society and drawing meaningful development to their constituencies. He also called on the candidates and other stakeholders to protect peace, unity, and cohesion in Bayelsa State, which he said remained vital to the state's continued growth.
In a related development, Jonathan raised alarm over the growing practice of serving governors and senior officials converging on states during off-cycle elections. He referenced the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti elections, saying he personally ordered party leaders to leave those states when similar situations arose during his presidency. The ex-president called on the National Peace Committee to urgently convene a stakeholders' meeting to set clear boundaries for political conduct around elections.
