Former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has indicated that he will engage in broad consultations before arriving at any decision regarding the 2027 presidential election.
Jonathan made this known on Thursday in Abuja when a delegation of supporters paid him a visit at his office, appealing to him to declare his intention to run for the nation’s highest office.
The group told the former president that their decision to mobilise and march to his office was driven by deep concern over what they described as the risk of Nigeria’s possible collapse. They said the crowd that showed up represented only a fraction of their national support base, which they claimed exceeded ten million people drawn from diverse ethnic groups, political parties, age brackets, and genders.
The supporters made two specific requests: that Jonathan publicly commit to contesting the 2027 presidential election, and that he immediately obtain a nomination form from a political party of his choosing.
In his response, Jonathan acknowledged their appeal but stopped short of making any definitive commitment. He emphasised the importance of patriotism, urging young Nigerians to resist the temptation of self-interest and instead invest in building the nation. He stressed that peace remains the most critical need in Nigeria at this time, and called on young people — who he noted made up the overwhelming majority of those present — to remain actively engaged in the electoral process and to defend their right to vote.
Drawing on his experience as an election observer in over fourteen African countries, Jonathan cautioned that a presidential bid is a serious undertaking that should not be treated lightly. He said he had heard the crowd’s plea and would consult widely, but maintained that the ultimate priority should be securing a Nigeria that plans and builds for future generations.
