For the first time in a long while, the name High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (also known as Tompolo) has dominantly featured on the national space in connection to the build up to the 2027 general elections, especially as the Niger Delta foremost leader mobilised supporters through his grassroots political support organization—The PBAT Door-To-Door Movement—for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is running for a second term in office in the most populous black nation in the world.

However, like in other times Tompolo's identity has flooded the national space, his critics have not taken a "lay back" disposition, but have continued to dissect every of his moves, hoping to uncover a "secret scheme" with which they discredit his revered personality. But as usual they are yet to find any because the Odokorikodo of Niger Delta has always been an open book!

It is no longer news that Tompolo is a die-hard supporter of President Tinubu because he is convinced that the Jagaban is on the right track to reposition the country and to place it on the global map in the race to achieving a $1 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030 under the economic agenda of Mr. President. 

In a practical demonstration of his support, Tompolo's PBAT Door-To-Door Movement with its protem national coordinator, Sunday Adekanbi, and coordinator of its key regional flag-offs, High Chief Kestin Pondi, Ph.D., pledged to mobilize 10 million votes for President Tinubu across Nigeria's grassroots communities with focuses on ward-to-ward, street-to-street, and home-to-home engagement to promote the administration's "Renewed Hope" Agenda while educating Nigerians on the economic and infrastructural reforms of the Tinubu's administration.

In August, the group flagged off its campaign in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), rolling out its activities across multiple geopolitical zones. In the South-South, it flagged off campaign at the Ox-Bow Lake Pavilion in Yenagoa, alongside Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State.

In September, it unveiled at the People's Square in Katsina State coordinators of the Movement who were inaugurated across the 34 local government areas (LGAs) of the State. In Borno State it flagged off in Maiduguri with state leaders including the Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur. In Bauchi State, local coordinators and stakeholders strategized ward-level mobilization structures while in Nasarawa, State and LGA executives were inaugurated in Lafia, receiving over 25 campaign vehicles after a visit to Governor Abdullahi Sule. Also in Kano State, the Movement deployed 50 campaign vehicles to strengthen grassroots mobilization across the state's 44 local government areas.

In October, the Movement launched in Yobe State campaign vehicles and posters in Damaturu, with the support endorsed by Governor Mai Mala Buni who was represented by his deputy, Idi Gubana. And the Movement continues across the country.

But Tompolo's support for President Tinubu is beyond politics. It is a demonstration of patriotism at its finest. Yes! While every Nigerian citizen is entitled to their conviction to support any candidate of their choice in the forthcoming general election, so too is Tompolo, whose support for the President is anchored on his conviction that most Nigerians are finding it difficult to accept, especially as this is the first time the Niger Delta leader will not only be publicly campaigning for, but is at the forefront of the exercise.

Tompolo's action reminds me of the experience of Moses after leading the enslaved children of Israel from Egypt en route to the Promised Land. No sooner had the children of Israel were removed from their comfort zone they began to nag against their leader, because in their short-sightedness they thought the Promised Land would come on a platter of gold!

On that note there are those who believe that Tompolo has sold out by campaigning for President Tinubu especially as a beneficiary of the pipeline surveillance contract. Some believe that he has been removed from the pains of the masses and has become a politician overnigt. But that is totally wrong. Tompolo has been a leader who has carried the burdens of the Niger Delta on his back, and he continues to do so till this very moment. Through his Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, he has given out business grants, he has engaged thousands of youths, he has empowered the poor and the needy, he has contributed to the development of impoverished communities in the creeks, and has come to the rescue of many persons and institutions in and outside the region. His public records are there to speak. In fact, it is on record that it is in the Tinubu administration that Tompolo's philanthropy is at its highest!

Tompolo understands that the Promised Land that Nigerians are expecting is not going to come on a platter of gold. He continuously feels the pain of the masses, and that is why he believes that the reforms undertaken by the Tinubu government need rooms for consolidation. He is convinced that Mr. President is on the right track to turn around the fortunes of this country if given another four year term despite the discomfort Nigerians are passing through. Rather than watch the efforts of Mr. President go to waste and innocent Nigerians beguiled into deception by those promising El Dorado, he has personally committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.

Like the Biblical characters of Caleb and Joshua sent to spy on the Land of Canaan, Tompolo has not only seen the Promised Land of Nigeria, but has overcome the doubts most average Nigerians have become weighed down with by the imaginative negative narratives given life to by unpatriotic elements who sees nothing good in this current dispensation. In the race to 2027, the Ebidouwei of the Izon Nation is not only looking out for the Niger Delta, but for a country decorated for greatness. He is thus lighting the path by patriotically believing where some are treacherously misleading others.