Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he would embark on wide consultations before deciding whether to contest the 2027 presidential election, following mounting calls from youth groups urging him to return to the race.
Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday while receiving representatives of several youth groups at his office in Abuja, where they appealed to him to seek another term in office.
Responding to the request, the former Nigerian leader described presidential contests as serious national responsibilities that require careful reflection and broad consultations.
“Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,” Jonathan said.
He commended the youths for demonstrating concern about the country’s future, noting that patriotism and active civic participation are critical to nation-building.
“If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here,” he added.
Jonathan also urged young Nigerians to continue advocating for peace and credible elections, warning that flawed electoral processes discourage competent individuals from participating in politics.
“The key thing we need in this country is peace. 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 get involved in politics,” he stated.
The former president expressed concern over Nigeria’s consistently low voter turnout during elections, despite the country’s large population of eligible voters.
According to him, Nigeria records one of the poorest voter participation rates compared to many African and Asian countries where he had observed elections.
“I’ve observed elections in about 14 African countries and even in Southeast Asia. Nigeria has the lowest turnout in every election cycle,” he said.
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Jonathan called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to examine the causes of voter apathy and seek practical solutions to improve participation in future elections.
He further challenged Nigerian youths to become more involved in the electoral process by obtaining voter cards and participating actively during elections.
“If I ask how many of you have your voter’s card now, probably 50 per cent of you don’t have it, and you’re asking me to contest the election. So you must participate in the electoral process,” he noted.
Jonathan also lamented the treatment and perception of Nigerians abroad, attributing the situation partly to leadership failures over the years.
“The highest level of disdain shown to Nigerian youths abroad has to stop,” he said.
Despite the growing calls for his return, Jonathan maintained that he had not taken any decision regarding the 2027 presidential race, insisting that consultations would determine his next political move.
“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,” he said.