Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, may officially declare his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on Friday, according to sources familiar with the development.
A source told SaharaReporters that Jonathan has already indicated interest in returning to the race and could make a formal announcement as early as Friday.
“Former President Jonathan is likely to join the presidential race tomorrow, Friday. He has already hinted at it, and the decision may be made public very soon,” the source said.
The development follows growing speculation after a group of youths reportedly urged the former president to consider a comeback ahead of the 2027 general elections.
There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting that Jonathan could align with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), though this has not been independently verified. The speculation comes amid political realignments involving prominent figures such as former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who have also been linked to the party.
Speaking to young Nigerians who appealed to him to re-enter the race, Jonathan described the presidency as a serious responsibility and said he would consult widely before making a final decision.
“The presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely. The most important thing is that Nigerian youths must have hope,” he said.
He urged young people to remain patriotic and committed to national unity, stressing that nation-building requires responsible citizenship.
“Only patriotic citizens build their nations. Unpatriotic citizens destroy their nation. The key thing we need in this country is peace,” Jonathan said.
The former president also emphasised the importance of peaceful and credible elections, warning that poor electoral processes discourage competent citizens from participating in politics.
He encouraged youths to actively engage in the democratic process, especially by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
According to him, Nigeria continues to experience low voter turnout compared to other countries.
“I have observed elections in over 14 African countries and also in Southeast Asia. Nigeria has one of the lowest voter turnouts. We have very high voter apathy,” he said.
Jonathan urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate the causes of voter apathy and implement reforms to address the issue.
He also challenged young Nigerians to take responsibility in shaping the political system through active participation rather than disengagement.
“You are asking me to contest, but many of you don’t even have voter cards. So you must participate in the electoral process,” he added.
The former president also expressed concern over rising emigration among Nigerian youths, commonly referred to as the “Japa” syndrome, noting that leadership must focus on building a country where citizens are willing to stay and thrive.
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