Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will consult widely before deciding whether to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan stated this on Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Abuja after a group of supporters marched to his office, urging him to join the presidential race.
The former President, who addressed the group, said the call had been heard, but noted that contesting for the presidency was a serious matter that required broad consultations and careful consideration.
He said, “Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely.”
The supporters had converged on Jonathan’s office to persuade him to return to the political stage ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They appealed to him to contest the presidency, citing his experience in office and his role in democratic development on the continent.
Responding, Jonathan thanked the group for the visit and used the opportunity to speak on patriotism, peace and credible elections.
He said no nation could develop without patriotic citizens who were willing to protect its interests.
Jonathan stated, “It’s only patriotic citizens that build their nations. Unpatriotic citizens will destroy their nation, take the money to anywhere to enjoy their life. So you must be patriotic. And things are very, very clear.”
The former President said the most important need in the country was peace, adding that young Nigerians must continue to push for unity, stability and credible elections.
He told the supporters that democracy could only thrive where citizens had confidence in the electoral process.
Jonathan said, “The key thing we need in this country is peace. So as young people, for most of you here, more than 80 per cent of you are very young people.
“I don’t even know how old some of you were when I was a President, but the key thing is peace in this country, and you will continue to advocate for that, and you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country.”
He warned that flawed or violent elections could discourage good citizens from participating in politics.
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He added, “Because if we don’t have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother get involved in politics.”
Jonathan also called on Nigerian youths to remain actively involved in the electoral process, particularly by exercising their right to vote.
He said young people had a major role to play in shaping the country’s political future and must not stay away from democratic participation.
The former President said, “And as youths, you will continue to advocate for that. It’s very dear to us, peaceful election, and indeed you as young people must continue to be fully involved in the electoral processes, especially your right to vote.”
Jonathan, who has been involved in election observation missions across Africa since leaving office, said his experience had shown him the importance of peaceful democratic transitions.
He said, “I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries, some I have been there two times.”
Jonathan said Nigeria must be built in a way that protects the future of younger generations.
He said the country needed leaders and citizens who would think beyond immediate gains and work toward a nation that could serve children and grandchildren.
The former President added that the most important thing was for young people to have a Nigeria that would plan for future generations.
He said, “But the most important thing is in Nigeria, that the young people will have in Nigeria that will plan for our grandchildren.”
Jonathan lost the 2015 election to the late president Muhammadu Buhari, marking the first time an incumbent president lost re-election in Nigeria.
Jonathan’s term ended on May 29, 2015, with a peaceful transfer of power to Buhari, who emerged following the merger between Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other political parties that birthed the All Progressives Congress (APC).