2027: Presidential Race Not Computer Game But I’ll Consult Widely, Jonathan Hints At Interest In Nigeria’s Top Job

By Olumuyiwa Olumuyiwa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has hinted at the possibility of throwing his hat in the ring for the most exalted political office in the land in 2027.

Jonathan, however, noted that he will embark on wide consultations before taking a decision stressing that presidential race is a serious business and not “a computer game”.

The ex-president made this known in Abuja on Thursday while reacting to the demand of a mammoth crowd of supporters who marched to his office requesting that he contest the 2027 presidential election.

“It’s only patriotic citizens that build their nations. Unpatriotic citizens will destroy their nation, take the money to anywhere to enjoy their life. So you must be patriotic. And things are very, very clear.

“The key thing we need in this country is peace. So as young people, for most of you here, more than 80% of you are very young people.

“I don’t even know how old some of you were when I was a President, but the key thing is peace in this country, and you will 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 get involved in politics.

“And as youths, you will continue to advocate for that. It’s very dear to us peaceful election, and indeed you as young people must continue to be fully involved in the electoral processes, especially your right to vote.

“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries, some I have been there two times.

“Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely, but the most important thing is in Nigeria that the young people will have in Nigeria that will plan for our grandchildren,” Jonathan said.

Recall that Jonathan rose to the national stage in 2007 when he ran as running mate on a joint presidential ticket with Umaru Musa Yar’adua on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Yar’adua was declared winner of the election and Jonathan became his second-in-command.

Unfortunately, Yar’adua died in harness after a prolonged illness on May 5, 2010 and Jonathan became Nigeria’s president.

He would later contest the presidéncy on the platform of the PDP and won again in 2011.

Jonathan was defeated at the poll in the 2015 elections by a political amalgam known as All Progressives Congress (APC) which has remained the ruling party since then.