‘Get Your Voters Card’, Jonathan Gives Condition To Join 2027 Race
As the 2027 elections draw near, former Nigerian President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has called for active participation of Nigerian youths in electoral processes.
Jonathan made the remark in Abuja on Thursday when a large number of youths stormed his residence, appealing to him to join the 2027 presidential race.
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan urged those advocating his comeback to get their Permanent Voters Card, PVCs, and actively participate in the election.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to carefully look at the growing apathy in Nigeria, lamenting that Nigerians are not interested in elections.
He said that young citizens of the country “must be involved in the electoral process”.
Lamenting the prevailing voter apathy in the country, Jonathan told the youths, “Probably 50% of you don’t even have voters card and you are asking me to go and contest the election”.
“Contesting the Nigerian presidency isn’t a computer game,” he said, pushing back against mounting speculation about a possible comeback bid.
The former president noted that while he has been receiving messages of support, particularly from young Nigerians, he would not rush into any political decision without broad consultations.
“I’ve heard from young people, and I’ll consult. I cannot just wake up and decide I want to be president of Nigeria again,” Jonathan said.
Recall that Jonathan was sworn in as Nigeria’s President on 5th May 2010, upon the death of then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
On May 29, 2011, the Bayelsa-born politician was again sworn in after winning the April 2011 presidential election.
Although Jonathan, who lost the 2015 election to Muhammadu Buhari, is yet to declare his intention to join the 2027 race, a cross-section of Nigerians are calling for his comeback.
Some political analysts, however, argue that the Nigerian constitution does not allow for a person to be sworn in as President three times.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
