𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗢𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱?---𝗝𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽𝘀 𝗔𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗶𝗺 𝗧𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗦𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝗮𝗺𝗲.

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚, 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has described the country’s presidential contest as “not a computer game,” while responding to increasing calls from youth groups urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan made the remark on Thursday in Abuja while receiving delegations of youth organisations who appealed to him to return to active politics ahead of the next general election.

Addressing the groups, the former president said any decision regarding a possible return to the presidential race would require extensive consultations and careful consideration, stressing that national leadership should not be treated lightly.

“You are asking me to come and contest the next election. Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,” Jonathan said.

He commended the youths for showing interest in the future of the country, noting that patriotism and civic participation remain essential for national development.

“If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here,” he added.

Jonathan also urged young Nigerians to promote peace and credible elections, warning that flawed electoral processes discourage competent and patriotic citizens from participating in politics.

“The key thing we need in this country is peace. You continue to advocate for that. And you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country. Because if we don’t have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother to get involved in politics,” he stated.

The former president further expressed concern over Nigeria’s low voter turnout during elections despite the country’s large population, describing it as one of the poorest participation records globally.

“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries and even Southeast Asia. Nigeria has the lowest turnout in every election cycle,” he said.

Jonathan called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to investigate the causes of voter apathy and improve citizens’ participation in elections.

“I think INEC needs to do something about it. They need to start to get consultants to look at it. And what is the cause? As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he stated.

He challenged the visiting youths to actively participate in democracy by obtaining their voter cards and voting during elections.

“If I ask how many of you have your voter’s card now, probably 50% of you don’t have your voter’s card. And you’re asking me to go and contest the election. So you must participate in the electoral process,” Jonathan said.

The former president also lamented the negative treatment many Nigerians face abroad, attributing it to years of poor leadership and governance challenges.

“The highest level of disdain shown to Nigerian youths abroad has to stop,” he said.

While acknowledging the growing calls for his return to active politics, Jonathan maintained that he would continue consulting before taking any decision ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

“I will consult. I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult. If there is a need to, I will wait,” he added.