Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he would consult widely on whether or not to run in the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan made the comment Thursday in Abuja when the Coalition for Jonathan 2027, a group of young supporters led by Dr. Tom Ohikere, visited his office to urge him to contest.
His response was in apparently response to the youth group’s insistence that he should throw his hat in the ring for the 2027 presidential poll.
Analysts have quickly interpreted Jonathan’s response as a mere sarcasm to push back the youth group or at least give them a momentary joy or satisfaction.
– “I’ve heard you and I will consult widely”-
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan acknowledged the calls for him to run.
Watch video hereunder:
https://x.com/i/status/2052339841191276747
“I’ve heard you and I will consult widely. 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 said.
“If there is a need to, I will wait.”
The coalition said it had made a similar appeal on April 8, 2026, but had received no clear response since, noting that Jonathan had not picked up a nomination form with any political party.
-Youth participation and peace at the centre
Jonathan used the meeting to emphasize patriotism, peace, and the need for credible elections. He expressed concern over Nigeria’s low voter turnout despite its large voting population and urged the youths to register and obtain their voter cards instead of limiting engagement to political discussion.
“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,” he said.
He also stressed that peace was the foundation for good governance, warning that without peaceful and credible elections, many capable citizens would stay away from politics.
-Background to the speculation-
Jonathan, who served as president from 2010 to 2015, has been the subject of periodic calls for a comeback ahead of 2027. The coalition said it approached him because of what it described as “impending collapse” in the country and believes his experience could help stabilize the polity.
While Jonathan did not commit to a timeline or political platform, his remarks mark the most direct public response to the growing campaign for his return. [Rewritten report by News Express]
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