2027: Jonathan considers comeback as court hears eligibility suit today

• Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he will consult widely before deciding on a possible 2027 presidential bid, as a court prepares to hear a suit challenging his eligibility.

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has said he will consult widely before deciding whether to contest the 2027 presidential election, stressing that the race for the country’s highest office “is not a computer game.”

Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday while receiving youth groups in Abuja who urged him to return to the presidential race ahead of the next general election.

“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 youths for showing interest in the nation’s future, describing patriotism and active political participation as 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 competent Nigerians from participating in politics.

“The key thing we need in this country is peace… because if we don’t have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother to get involved in politics,” he said.

He further expressed concern over Nigeria’s low voter turnout, noting that the country records some of the poorest electoral participation rates despite having a large voting population. Jonathan urged young Nigerians to obtain voter cards and participate actively in elections.

“If I ask how many of you have your voter’s card now, probably 50 per cent 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,” he stated.

Jonathan’s comments come as the Federal High Court in Abuja is set to hear a suit seeking to stop him from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

The suit, filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, argues that Jonathan has allegedly exhausted the constitutional limit for holding the office of president, having completed the tenure of late President Umaru Yar’Adua before serving another full term after winning the 2011 election.

The case seeks to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission from accepting or publishing Jonathan’s name as a presidential candidate. Justice Peter Lifu is expected to hear the matter.

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Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress has denied reports of any agreement with Jonathan regarding a possible presidential bid.

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 on zoning or endorsement.

“The NDC is a party that believes in merging ideas and consultations across boards. I can categorically tell you that we have not zoned the presidential ticket,” he said.

Abdulsalam, however, noted that Jonathan remains constitutionally qualified to seek office if he chooses to do so, adding that “everything is still possible” politically ahead of 2027.