2027: Youths Storm Jonathan’s Abuja Residence, Urge Him To Contest

Hundreds of youths under the banner of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday gathered at the Abuja residence of former President Goodluck Jonathan, calling on him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The rally, which took place at Taraba Close in Maitama, disrupted traffic as demonstrators chanted slogans, danced, and displayed placards urging the former leader to return to active politics.

Some of the placards read, “GEJ: Nigeria is dying, save it!” “GEJ, Nigerian youths break the medicine wey dem do you,” and “GEJ, if you no run, we quench.”

Leading the protest, the coalition’s National President, Tom Ohikere, said the group had conducted consultations across the country before organising the rally.

He said, “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.”

Ohikere described Jonathan as a unifying figure capable of addressing Nigeria’s political and economic challenges, adding that the group would continue to push for his candidacy.

“We will keep coming until we get a positive response,” he said.

Despite waiting for several hours, the protesters were unable to meet the former president, who was reportedly absent at the time. He was said to have arrived later in the day after the group had dispersed.

The demonstration reflects a renewed wave of calls from political groups and diaspora organisations urging Goodluck Jonathan to return to partisan politics ahead of the 2027 elections.

A similar movement was seen in 2022, when supporters across the country canvassed for his participation in the 2023 general elections. At the time, some northern groups even purchased presidential nomination and expression of interest forms of the All Progressives Congress for him, despite his affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party.

The move sparked debate over its legality and implications, especially as Jonathan had completed a full term after finishing the tenure of his predecessor, raising constitutional questions about his eligibility.

He, however, declined to join the race and distanced himself from the campaign after remaining silent for weeks.

Although he has yet to publicly declare interest in the 2027 election, calls for his return continue to surface. Since leaving office in 2015, Goodluck Jonathan has largely maintained a statesman role, focusing on diplomacy and election observation missions across Africa.