Former President Goodluck Jonathan has stated that contesting Nigeria’s presidency is “not a computer game” while responding to calls from youth groups urging him to join the 2027 presidential race.
Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday when youth groups visited his office in Abuja to persuade him to return to the contest.
Reacting to the appeal, the former president said he would hold broad consultations before making any decision, stressing that leadership demands serious reflection.
“You are asking me to come and contest the next election. Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,” he said.
Jonathan praised the youths for showing concern about the country’s future, describing patriotism as vital to national development.
“If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here,” he added.
The former president also urged young Nigerians to promote peace and credible elections, warning that flawed electoral processes discourage capable citizens from participating in politics.
“The key thing we need in this country is peace.
“You continue to advocate for that. 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,” he said.
Jonathan expressed concern over Nigeria’s low voter turnout, describing it as one of the poorest participation rates globally despite the country’s large voting population.
“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries and even Southeast Asia. Nigeria has the lowest turnout in every election cycle.
“I think INEC needs to do something about it. They need to start to get consultants to look at it. And what is the cause? As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he stated.
He challenged the youths to participate actively by obtaining voter cards and voting during elections.
“If I ask how many of you have your voter’s card now, probably 50% of you don’t have your voter’s card. And you’re asking me to go and contest the election. So you must participate in the electoral process,” he said.
Jonathan also criticised the treatment of Nigerians abroad, linking the situation partly to years of poor leadership.
“The highest level of disdain shown to Nigerian youths abroad has to stop. Even African countries that we have, African countries that even when we are students, as of our scholarship monies, we are contributing to solve problems in those countries,” he said.
The former president, however, maintained that he had only listened to the appeal and would continue consultations before deciding whether to seek office again in 2027.
“I will consult. I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult. If there is a need to, I will wait,” Jonathan stated.