Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will consult widely after young Nigerians urged him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking to a large crowd of mostly youths in Abuja during a live Arise News event, Jonathan stressed the need for patriotism, peace, and active participation in elections. He made it clear that running for president is serious work and not a game, but he listened to their calls.
Jonathan told the gathering that only patriotic citizens build their country while unpatriotic ones destroy it and move money abroad to enjoy easy lives. He said peace remains the most important thing Nigeria needs right now and urged everyone to keep pushing for peaceful and credible elections.
He noted that more than 80 percent of the people in the room were very young. Many were probably small children or not even born when he was president. Jonathan called on the youths to become strong advocates for free and fair polls because without peace and trust in the system, good people will avoid politics completely.
The former leader expressed deep worry about Nigeria’s poor voter turnout. After observing elections in more than 14 African countries, some of them twice, and also in Southeast Asia, he said Nigeria has the lowest number of voters in every election cycle and the highest level of voter apathy.
Nigerians seem not interested in their own elections,” he said. He added that he has never seen any country with such low percentages of people coming out to vote. Jonathan promised to bring in experts to study the problem and find ways to increase participation.
He challenged the young crowd directly. When he asked how many already had their voter cards, he estimated that about half did not even own one. Yet some of them were still asking him to run for office. He reminded them that the presidential race is not a computer game.
Jonathan said he has heard their request and will consult widely before making any decision.
His strongest message was about giving Nigerian youths real hope. He explained that countries people admire today did not become successful overnight. Leaders after leaders planned for their grandchildren, added improvements every year, and built their nations step by step until they reached a near paradise level where citizens travel abroad for enjoyment.
He said the constant jokes and mockery about Nigeria must stop. Jonathan also spoke about the high level of disrespect Nigerian youths face abroad, even in African countries that Nigeria once supported and helped.
The former president ended by calling on all young people to get fully involved in the electoral process, obtain their voter cards, and work together to build a better future for the country and its next generations.
