A group of youths under the aegis of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday staged a solidarity rally at the Abuja residence of former President Goodluck Jonathan, urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The demonstrators gathered around Taraba Close in Maitama, chanting songs and displaying placards calling on the former president to return to active politics.
The rally caused heavy traffic around the upscale district as supporters danced, sang and waved banners with inscriptions such as, “GEJ: Nigeria is dying, save it,” and “GEJ, if you no run, we quench.”
The protesters described Jonathan as a unifying leader capable of addressing the country’s political and economic challenges.
Addressing the crowd, the former president acknowledged the calls and said he would consult widely before taking a decision on the request.
“I’ve heard you loud and clear. I will consult widely before taking any decision,” Jonathan said.
He also urged Nigerian youths to become more involved in the democratic process, stressing the need for peaceful, transparent and credible elections in the country.
Jonathan expressed concern over the level of voter apathy in Nigeria, describing it as one of the major threats to the nation’s democracy.
“Nigeria has one of the highest levels of voter apathy in all the elections I have observed globally,” he said.
The former Bayelsa State governor encouraged young people to move beyond passive criticism and participate actively in civic and political engagements.
Thursday’s rally adds to growing calls from different political and youth groups asking Jonathan to return to the political scene ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015 before losing his re-election bid to former President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress in 2015.
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