Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has hinted at the possibility of returning to the presidential race ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he would consult widely after being urged by a group of youths to contest.
Jonathan made the remarks while addressing young Nigerians who appealed to him to run for president in 2027.
Responding to the calls, the former president cautioned that the presidential race is a serious undertaking and not something to be approached lightly.
“Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely. But the most important thing is in Nigeria, that the young people will have hope,” Jonathan said.
The former president also used the opportunity to urge Nigerian youths to remain patriotic and committed to the unity and progress of the country, warning that unpatriotic citizens could destroy a nation.
“I urge you to continue to be patriotic to the country. It’s only patriotic citizens that build their nations. Unpatriotic citizens will destroy their nation, take the money to anywhere to enjoy their life,” he said.
“So you must be patriotic. And things are very, very clear. The key thing we need in this country is peace.”
Jonathan stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence and credible elections, insisting that without transparent electoral processes, competent citizens would continue to avoid politics.
“So as young people, because most of you here, more than 80% of you are very young people. I don’t even know how old some of you were when I was the president. But the key thing is peace in this country, and you continue to advocate for that,” he said.
“And 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 bother to get involved in politics.”
The former president further urged Nigerian youths to actively participate in elections and obtain their voter cards, lamenting the low level of voter turnout in Nigeria compared to other African countries where he had monitored elections.
“And as youths, we will continue to advocate for that. It’s very dear to us, peaceful elections. And indeed you, as young people, must continue to be fully involved in the electoral processes, especially your right to vote,” Jonathan said.
“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries. Some have been there two times. And even in Southeast Asia, Nigeria has the lowest turnout of elections in every election cycle. We have the highest voter apathy.”
“And it shows us that people are not even interested in the elections. We have the worst, the least. I’ve never been to a country that has the low numbers we have, in terms of percentage of voters,” he added.
Jonathan called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the causes of voter apathy and take concrete steps to address the situation.
“I think INEC needs to do something about it, need to study it, get consultants who look at it, and what is the cause, and do something,” he said.
He also challenged the youths supporting his possible presidential ambition to first participate actively in the democratic process.
“As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process. If I ask how many of you have your voter cards now, probably 50% of you don’t even have a voter’s card,” he said.
“And you’re asking me to go and contest elections. So you must participate in the electoral process. Yes, you’re asking me to come and contest the next elections.”
Speaking further, Jonathan lamented the growing “Japa” syndrome among Nigerian youths and the treatment many Nigerians face abroad, saying leaders must build a country future generations would be proud of.
“In Nigeria, that we plan for our grandchildren. These countries, people travel abroad to go and enjoy. These things don’t happen overnight,” he said.
“Leaders, after leaders, plan for the grandchildren, and build their country. So every year you see things being added, and added until they are in this kind of semi-paradise world, they enjoy it.”
“The Japa syndrome in Nigeria has to stop. The highest level of disdain shown to Nigerian youths abroad has to stop. Even African countries that we help…”
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