Former President of Nigeria, His Excellency, Dr.Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan GCFR, GCON, has commended the quality, experience and capacity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates contesting the 2027 elections in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Jonathan made the remarks at his residence in Yenagoa when he received a high-powered delegation led by the former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd.), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku and the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Rt. Hon. Warman Weri Ogoriba, PhD.
The delegation visited the former President to formally present the APC candidates to him as a mark of respect and honour, particularly as a former President of Nigeria and a prominent leader from the Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
Presenting the candidates, Rear Admiral Jonah appealed to Jonathan to extend his goodwill and support to them, describing the candidates as individuals with the requisite capacity, experience and character to provide effective representation if elected.
He expressed confidence that they would serve the interests of their constituents and contribute meaningfully to the development of the district and the state.
The candidates presented included HRH. 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.
Also presented were the APC candidates for the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, including 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.
Others were Hon. High Chief Ebiango Okoba Egain for Ogbia Constituency 1, Hon. Godknows Obein for Ogbia Constituency 2 and Hon. Chief Gabriel Michael Ogbara for Ogbia Constituency 3.
Responding to the presentation, Jonathan expressed his appreciation for the quality of the candidates, noting that virtually all of them were people who, in his assessment, could be trusted in terms of capacity, performance and experience.
He gave the candidates his blessings and encouraged them to remain committed to serving their people if elected to office.
The former President urged the candidates to see politics as a means of improving society and attracting positive development to their respective constituencies.
He also admonished them and other stakeholders to sustain peace, unity and oneness in Bayelsa State, which he said remained important to the state’s continued development.
The visit brought together APC leaders, candidates, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and other stakeholders from across the Brass, Nembe, and Ogbia Local Government Areas as part of ongoing consultations and engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.