Former President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday stated that he would engage in broad consultations before deciding whether to contest the 2027 presidential election, as supporters intensify calls for his return to active politics. Jonathan made the remarks while addressing a crowd of youths who gathered at his residence in Maitama, Abuja, under the banner of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan.
Solidarity Rally Disrupts Traffic in Maitama
The demonstrators assembled around Taraba Close and adjacent streets, causing significant traffic congestion in the upscale district. They chanted slogans, danced to music, and carried placards urging the former president to run again. Some placards read: “GEJ: Nigeria is dying, save it!”, “GEJ, Nigerian youths break the medicine wey dem do you”, and “GEJ, if you no run, we quench”. The youths described Jonathan as a unifying figure capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic and political challenges ahead of the 2027 general election.
Jonathan’s Response and Call for Youth Engagement
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan acknowledged their appeals and promised to reflect on the demands. “I’ve heard you loud and clear. I will consult widely before taking any decision,” he said. He also used the occasion to urge young Nigerians to become more actively involved in the democratic process, emphasizing the need for peaceful, transparent, and credible elections. Jonathan expressed concern over Nigeria’s high rate of voter apathy, warning that disengagement from elections threatens democracy. “Nigeria has one of the highest levels of voter apathy in all the elections I have observed globally,” he said. He urged youths to move beyond passive observation and participate more robustly in civic and political activities.
Coalition’s Appeal
The Coalition for Jonathan 2027, led by Dr. Tom Ohikere, presented a strongly worded appeal, recalling their previous visit on April 8, 2026. The coalition stated: “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. 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. Because of our genuine fear of a possible collapse of Nigeria as peace and unity is now gradually eluding all of us, we decided to march on your office today again hoping you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation. We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential elections sir. This mammoth crowd that came with us here today is a fragment of your supporters nationwide and represents every tribe and tongue and every religious belief in this country. We, young and old, girls and boys, men and women, are all here crying for your voice to say ‘yes’ to our request.
Background
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after succeeding the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua following his death in office. He later lost his re-election bid in 2015 to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.
