The governorship candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Rivers State, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has met with former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the February 2027 governorship election.
Lulu-Briggs reportedly visited Jonathan at his residence in Bayelsa State, where both politicians held a meeting.
Although details of their discussions have not been made public, the visit comes as political parties and their candidates intensify efforts to build alliances and attract influential supporters ahead of the forthcoming election.
The meeting has attracted attention because of Jonathan’s political standing and his longstanding connections within the Niger Delta region.
Rivers and Bayelsa share historical, political and economic ties, making engagements between prominent political figures from both states significant as preparations for the 2027 elections continue.
While neither the NDC governorship candidate nor the former president has publicly disclosed the outcome of the meeting, Lulu-Briggs’ visit comes at a time when political engagement are beginning to shape the contest for control of Rivers State.
The NDC candidate is among the politicians seeking to succeed Governor Siminalayi Fubara when his tenure expires.
His emergence as the party’s flagbearer has placed him in the race against candidates representing other political parties.
He is expected to face competition from Gabriel Pidomson of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Kingsley Chinda of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lulu-Briggs’ engagement with Jonathan could form part of his efforts to strengthen his political network and establish relationships ahead of the campaign.
However, there has been no official confirmation that the meeting resulted in an endorsement or any political agreement between the two men.
Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, remains an influential political figure in the South-South region.
The former president has also maintained a presence in national political discussions since leaving office, although the details of his meeting with Lulu-Briggs have not been disclosed.
The development comes amid remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who recently expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda.
Wike dismissed the chances of Lulu-Briggs emerging victorious in the 2027 governorship election, maintaining that Chinda was the candidate capable of winning the contest.
The minister’s position was linked to the support of the Rainbow Coalition, a political structure associated with his camp and its activities in Rivers State.
The minister has remained a major figure in Rivers State politics, and his political activities have continued to attract attention following his disagreement with Governor Fubara and the divisions that have emerged within the state’s political structure.
However, Lulu-Briggs’ meeting with Jonathan indicates that the NDC candidate is also engaging influential political figures as he prepares for the contest.
Although the outcome of the meeting between Lulu-Briggs and Jonathan remains unknown, the visit has added to the growing political engagements ahead of the election.
The NDC candidate has yet to make a detailed public statement explaining the purpose of the meeting or whether it forms part of a broader political consultation with former leaders and other influential stakeholders.
Similarly, there has been no indication that Jonathan has formally declared support for any of the governorship candidates in Rivers State.