Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has called on Nigerian youths to take a more active role in the country’s electoral process as conversations surrounding the 2027 general elections continue to intensify.
According to DAILY POST, Jonathan made the statement on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a group of youths who visited his residence to urge him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Responding to the appeals, the former president challenged the youths to first secure their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in elections before calling on him to return to power.
Jonathan also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tackle the rising level of voter apathy across the country, stressing that many Nigerians appear disconnected from the electoral process.
He emphasized that the younger generation must play a direct role in determining Nigeria’s political future through active participation in voting and other democratic activities.
Expressing concern over poor voter registration and turnout, Jonathan told the visitors, “About 50 per cent of you don’t even have voters cards, yet you want me to contest.”
Jonathan became Nigeria’s president on May 5, 2010, following the death of former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He later secured a fresh mandate in the 2011 presidential election and was sworn in on May 29, 2011.
Although the Bayelsa-born politician, who lost the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari, has yet to officially declare interest in the 2027 race, calls for his return have continued to surface from various groups.
However, some political analysts maintain that the Nigerian Constitution does not allow anyone to be sworn in as president more than twice.