By Jesse Ese | National News
No fewer than 5,016 Niger Delta ex-agitators under the aegis of the Concerned Ex-Agitators Across the Niger Delta have declared their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election, pledging to mobilise thousands of votes for the President across the South-South region.
The group, led by Comrade Victor Agbutufie, popularly known as General Mighty-man, made the declaration at a meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where members reaffirmed their commitment to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
Agbutufie, a former chairman of the IPMAN Anti-Oil Theft and Pipeline Vandalism Committee in Bayelsa State, said the group had resolved to stand firmly behind Tinubu and mobilise its members and supporters across Niger Delta communities ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the group would not be distracted by allegations and controversies surrounding the President, describing some of the issues being raised against Tinubu as politically motivated attempts by opposition elements to weaken his support ahead of the 2027 campaign.
According to him, the President should remain focused and should not allow what he described as distractions to derail his administration, stressing that the ex-agitators were convinced that Tinubu represented their interests and deserved another term in office.
“Without fear or favour, we will stand by the President. We know what the President represents and we are with him. We will mobilise everybody from the struggle platform to vote for him,” Agbutufie said.
The Niger Delta leader said the 5,016 registered members under his structure represented a significant voting bloc, explaining that each member had influence over other supporters within their respective communities.
He estimated that the group could deliver more than 20,000 votes for Tinubu, insisting that the organisation would work aggressively to ensure that the President secured strong support across the South-South.
“I have 5,016 ex-agitators under my leadership. These are already your votes. Under these people, there are at least four persons under them, so at least over 20,000 votes are coming from this group,” he stated.
Agbutufie said the group’s support for Tinubu was not merely a political declaration but a commitment to grassroots mobilisation, particularly in communities and areas across the Niger Delta where members maintain strong relationships and influence.
He disclosed, however, that despite their decision to support the President, members of the group were deeply concerned over their exclusion from the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
According to him, the ex-agitators surrendered their arms and embraced the Federal Government’s amnesty initiative but have allegedly remained outside the programme for about 17 years, without receiving the payments and benefits they believe they are entitled to.
Agbutufie said several letters and appeals had been sent to relevant authorities over the years, but the group was yet to receive a satisfactory response.
He recalled that on October 8, 2024, a meeting was held with the group following an engagement involving the Special Adviser to the President, during which representatives came to Bayelsa State to verify the existence and strength of the organisation.
He said 5,016 members were physically present at the meeting, which he described as evidence that the group was organised and identifiable and had formally embraced the amnesty initiative.
Agbutufie also referred to a subsequent community engagement with Gift Johnbull, the President’s South-South community engagement representative, saying the group had continued to pursue its demand for inclusion since then.
He appealed directly to President Tinubu to intervene in the matter, arguing that resolving the grievances of the ex-agitators would strengthen their commitment and enable them to mobilise more effectively for the President in the 2027 election.
“We know that the President is aware of the issue, and we want him to look into our plight and include us. Our inclusion will also help us move into the creeks and mobilise other like-minded people to vote for President Bola Tinubu,” he said.
The ex-agitators’ leader further disclosed that opposition politicians had approached members of the group with promises of inclusion in the Amnesty Programme and payment of outstanding entitlements if they supported the opposition in 2027.
He said the group had rejected such overtures because of its commitment to the APC and its decision to support Tinubu, but warned that the Federal Government must not ignore the grievances of people who had publicly committed themselves to the President.
“The opposition have approached us to work for them in 2027, saying they will include us in PAP if they win and pay all outstanding payments. But we have been saying no because we love the APC,” he said.
He nevertheless urged the President to reciprocate the group’s loyalty by addressing its long-standing grievances.
“We want the President to also address us. We are ready to work with the President in the 2027 elections,” Agbutufie added.
State coordinators of the Concerned Ex-Agitators Across the Niger Delta who spoke at the meeting also pledged their structures to Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
The coordinators, including Bethel Jonathan of Rivers State, Prince Rahim Okara, National Secretary, Oyibo Blessing of Delta State, Freeman Ovuru of Bayelsa State and Emmanuel Odiog of Akwa Ibom State, said their structures cut across communities in the Niger Delta and were prepared to mobilise their members for the 2027 presidential election.
They maintained that the group’s decision was based on their assessment of the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which they said had the potential to transform the Niger Delta and the wider country.
The endorsement adds the group to the growing list of Niger Delta stakeholders declaring support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential contest, even as the ex-agitators are pressing the administration to resolve what they describe as a 17-year exclusion from the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
