A group of youths under the banner 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, spilling into nearby streets and causing heavy traffic disruption in the highbrow district.
Supporters chanted songs, danced to music, and displayed placards carrying messages such as “GEJ: Nigeria is dying, save it!”, “GEJ, Nigerian youths break the medicine wey dem do you”, and “GEJ, if you no run, we quench”.
The youths described Jonathan as a unifying figure capable of addressing Nigeria’s political and economic challenges.
The rally adds to growing calls from political groups and supporters asking the former president to return to active politics ahead of the 2027 general election.
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan acknowledged their appeals and said he would consult widely before making any decision about a possible presidential bid.
“I’ve heard you loud and clear. I will consult widely before taking any decision,” he said.
The former president also urged young Nigerians to participate more actively in the democratic process, stressing the need for peaceful, transparent, and credible elections.
Jonathan expressed concern over increasing voter apathy, describing it as one of the country’s biggest democratic challenges.
“Nigeria has one of the highest levels of voter apathy in all the elections I have observed globally,” he said.
He encouraged youths to move beyond passive observation and become more involved in civic and political activities.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after previously serving as governor of Bayelsa State. He lost his re-election bid in 2015 to Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress.
