Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will consult widely before deciding whether to contest the 2027 presidential election, describing the race for Nigeria’s highest office as “not a computer game.”
Jonathan spoke on Thursday while receiving youth groups at his Abuja office who urged him to join the 2027 presidential race. He said leadership decisions required careful consideration and broad consultations.
“You are asking me to come and contest the next election. The presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely,” he said.
The former president commended the youth for showing interest in national affairs, saying patriotism remained vital to nation-building.
“If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here,” he added.
Jonathan also called for peaceful and credible elections, warning that flawed electoral processes discourage capable Nigerians from participating in politics.
“The key thing we need in this country is peace, so you continue to advocate for that. And you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country,” he said.
He further criticised Nigeria’s low voter turnout, urging young people to obtain their voter cards and participate actively in elections.
“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries and even Southeast Asia. Nigeria has the lowest turnout in every election cycle,” Jonathan stated.
His remarks came as the Federal High Court in Abuja prepared to hear a suit on Friday seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who argued that Jonathan had exhausted the constitutional limit for holding office after completing the tenure of late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and later serving a full elected term following the 2011 election.
Justice Peter Lifu had earlier ordered hearing notices to be served on the defendants after responses were not initially filed.
Jonathan is listed as the first defendant, while the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Attorney-General of the Federation are joined as defendants.
The plaintiff is asking the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a candidate for any political party in 2027 and to stop INEC from accepting or publishing his name as a presidential candidate.
According to the affidavit supporting the suit, Jonathan was sworn in on May 6, 2010, following Yar’Adua’s death, before later winning the 2011 presidential election.
The plaintiff argued that if Jonathan contests and wins in 2027, he would be taking the presidential oath for a third time, contrary to constitutional provisions.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress has dismissed reports that it has entered into a pact with Jonathan ahead of the 2027 election.
Speaking in Abuja, the party’s Deputy National Spokesman, Abdulmumin Abdulsalam, said consultations on the party’s presidential ticket were still ongoing and no decision had been taken regarding Jonathan’s candidacy.
He added that the NDC remained open to high-profile politicians across party lines, including former governors, ex-ministers and lawmakers interested in joining the party ahead of the next general election.
