Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he is still consulting following renewed calls for him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan made the remark on Thursday when a group of youths under the platform of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan visited him at his Abuja residence, urging him to join the next presidential race.
Welcoming the delegation, the former president thanked the group for their interest in the nation’s future and described their action as a sign of patriotism. However, he noted that the decision to run for the nation’s highest office requires broad consultations.
“My children, my brothers, and my sisters, first and foremost, let me welcome you to my office here in Abuja and thank you for showing interest in your country,” Jonathan said.
“If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here. I can say that you are showing signs of being patriotic Nigerians, and I encourage you to continue to be patriotic.
“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next election. The presidential race is not a computer game, but I have heard you, and I will consult widely.”
The former Bayelsa State governor also urged Nigerian youths to participate actively in the country’s electoral process, particularly by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
Expressing concern over voter apathy, Jonathan said many young Nigerians show interest in politics without participating fully in elections.
“As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he said. “If I ask how many of you have your voter cards now, probably 50 per cent of you do not even have voter cards, yet you are asking me to contest the election. You must be patriotic and participate actively in the electoral process.”
Jonathan further noted that, based on his observations from election monitoring missions across Africa, Nigeria records one of the lowest voter turnout rates on the continent.
“We have one of the highest levels of voter apathy. I have had to study it, engage consultants to examine the causes, and look at possible solutions. As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he added.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after previously serving as vice president. Since leaving office, he has largely stayed away from partisan politics, focusing instead on democracy advocacy and election observer missions across Africa.
Despite his withdrawal from active politics, calls for him to seek another term in office have continued from supporters and political groups who believe he still possesses the experience and national appeal to lead the country again.
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