Presidency not computer game, Jonathan tells supporters
Former president Goodluck Jonathan has said he is still consulting amid mounting calls for him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan spoke on Thursday while receiving a delegation of youths under the platform of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan at his residence in Abuja.
The group urged the former president to return to active politics and seek another term in office during next year’s election cycle.
Responding to the appeal, Jonathan thanked the youths for what he described as their patriotic concern for Nigeria’s future, but cautioned that seeking the presidency was a serious undertaking that required broad consultation.
“My children, my brothers, and my sisters, first and foremost, let me welcome you to my office in Abuja here, and thank you for showing interest in your country,” he said.
“If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here, so I can say that you are showing signs of being patriotic Nigerians, and I will encourage you to continue to be patriotic in the country.
“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections. The presidential race is not a computer game, but I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely.”
Jonathan also urged young Nigerians to take a more active role in the democratic process by registering and participating in elections.
He lamented what he described as growing voter apathy, particularly among young people, saying many citizens demanding political change often fail to vote.
“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, and you are asking me to contest the election.”
The former president said his experience observing elections across Africa had shown that Nigeria records one of the lowest voter turnouts on the continent.
“We have the highest voter apathy. I have had to study it, get consultants who look at it and what the cause is, and do something. 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 under the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Since leaving office, he has largely stayed away from partisan politics and has instead focused on diplomacy and election observation missions across Africa.
However, calls for his return to the political arena have continued to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, with supporters insisting he possesses the experience and national appeal needed to lead the country again.