Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will consult widely before deciding whether to contest the 2027 presidential election amid growing calls from supporters urging him to return to active politics.
Gatekeepers News reports that Jonathan made the remark on Thursday while addressing a group of youths who staged a solidarity rally at his residence in Maitama, Abuja, under the banner of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan.
The demonstrators gathered around Taraba Close and adjoining streets, causing heavy traffic disruption in the area as they chanted slogans, danced to music, and displayed placards urging the former president to contest the next election.
Some of the 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 supporters described Jonathan as a unifying national figure capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic and political challenges ahead of the 2027 general election.
Responding to the appeals, Jonathan said he had taken note of the calls and would reflect before making a decision.
“I’ve heard you loud and clear. I will consult widely before taking any decision,” he told the crowd.
The former president also urged Nigerian youths to become more actively involved in the democratic process, stressing the importance of peaceful, transparent, and credible elections.
Jonathan expressed concern over what he described as widespread voter apathy in the country, warning that citizens’ lack of participation in elections could weaken democracy.
“Nigeria has one of the highest levels of voter apathy in all the elections I have observed globally,” he said.
He encouraged young people to move beyond passive observation and participate more actively in civic and political activities.
Earlier, the Coalition for Jonathan 2027, led by Dr. Tom Ohikere, presented a strongly worded appeal urging the former president to declare interest in the race.
The group recalled a previous visit to Jonathan on April 8, 2026, during which they appealed to him to contest the presidency.
“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,” the statement read.
The coalition said it decided to return because it had yet to receive a clear response from Jonathan regarding the calls for him to contest.
“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,” the group stated.
“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential elections sir.”
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after succeeding 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 (APC).
