FORMER President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that he is still consulting on whether or not to join the 2027 presidential race amid growing calls from supporters urging him to return to power.
News Point Nigeria reports that Jonathan made the remark on Thursday when a group of young persons under the auspices of the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 visited him at his office in Abuja.
Addressing the coalition members and a mammoth crowd of supporters, the former president emphasised the importance of patriotism, peace and active youth participation in the electoral process.
He lamented Nigeria’s persistently low voter turnout despite the country’s huge voting population and urged young people to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and become fully involved in politics.
While acknowledging the increasing calls for him to contest again, Jonathan stopped short of making an immediate declaration but left open the possibility of joining the race.
“I’ve heard you and I will consult widely,” he said, in what many observers consider his strongest indication yet of possible interest in the 2027 presidential contest.
Earlier, the Coalition for Jonathan 2027, led by Dr. Tom Ohikere, presented a strongly worded appeal urging the former president to return and contest the next election.
The group recalled an earlier visit made to Jonathan on April 8, 2026.
“Last month, April 8th 2026, The Coalition For Jonathan 2027 paid a friendly visit to your excellency to urge you to run the 2027 Presidential elections to save Nigeria from the impending collapse. Though we did not meet you in person, we believe that our message was unreservedly passed on to you, as it was to the entire Nigerian people through the media,” the coalition stated.
“Since then, we have had little information as to whether you have yielded to our clarion call as you have not yet, within our knowledge, picked a nomination for the presidential contest in any registered political party.”
Responding to the appeal, Jonathan reiterated that the decision could not be taken lightly and stressed the need for broader consultations.
“You are asking me to come and contest the next election. Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,” he stated.
The former president further stressed that peace and credible elections remain essential for Nigeria’s democratic progress.
“The key thing we need in this country is peace. You continue to advocate for that. And you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country. Because if we don’t have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother to get involved in politics,” he said.
Jonathan also noted that he could not simply declare interest in the presidential race without due consultations and careful consideration.
“I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult. If there is a need to, I will wait.”
The former president also challenged Nigerian youths to actively participate in the electoral process rather than limiting their involvement to political debates and discussions.
“If I ask how many of you have your voter’s card now, probably 50 per cent of you don’t have your voter’s card. And you’re asking me to go and contest the election. So you must participate in the electoral process,” Jonathan added.