A group of young Nigerians under the banner of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan has called on the former leader to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The group gathered on Wednesday at his residence in Maitama, Abuja, where they staged a demonstration that temporarily disrupted movement in the area. The protesters chanted slogans, danced, and displayed placards appealing to Jonathan to return to active politics.
Messages on the placards included appeals such as “GEJ: Nigeria is dying, save it!” and “GEJ, if you don’t run, we quench,” reflecting their demand for his candidacy.
Speaking during the rally, the coalition’s National President, Tom Ohikere, said the call followed months of consultations across the country.
“Everywhere that we have visited in the course of our nationwide consultation over a period of six months, the clamour for his return to power to rescue our country has been loud and unmistakable,” he said.
Ohikere described Jonathan as a unifying figure capable of addressing Nigeria’s political and economic challenges, adding that the group would continue its campaign until it receives a response.
The protesters reportedly waited for several hours but were unable to meet the former president, who was said to have arrived at the residence after they had dispersed.
The development adds to growing calls from various groups, including political and diaspora organisations, urging Jonathan to re-enter partisan politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
A similar situation occurred in 2022 when different groups advocated for his candidacy in the 2023 general elections. At the time, some northern political actors even purchased presidential nomination forms for him under the All Progressives Congress, despite his affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party.
That move generated controversy over its legality and implications, particularly regarding constitutional eligibility, as Jonathan had already completed a full term and finished the tenure of his predecessor.
Ultimately, he declined to contest the election, maintaining silence for weeks before withdrawing from the race.
Since leaving office in 2015, Jonathan has largely stayed out of active politics, focusing instead on diplomatic engagements and election observation missions across Africa.
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