By John Umeh
A group of young Nigerians on Wednesday gathered at the Abuja residence of former President Goodluck Jonathan, calling on him to return to frontline politics and contest the 2027 presidential election.
The demonstrators, operating under the banner of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan, converged on Taraba Close in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory, where they sang, danced, and displayed placards appealing to the former leader to seek the nation’s top office once again. Their presence reportedly caused temporary traffic disruptions in the neighbourhood.
Messages on the placards reflected growing frustration among the protesters, with inscriptions such as “GEJ, come back and rescue Nigeria,” “Nigeria needs your leadership again,” and “Youth demand Jonathan 2027.”
Speaking during the rally, the coalition’s National President, Tom Ohikere, said the demonstration followed months of consultations across the country, which, according to him, revealed strong support for Jonathan’s return.
He noted that many Nigerians, particularly young people, see Jonathan as a stabilising figure capable of addressing the country’s economic and political challenges.
“Our engagements across different regions over the past six months have shown a consistent demand for his return. Nigerians believe he has the experience, temperament, and leadership qualities needed at this critical time,” Ohikere said.
He added that the coalition would continue to mobilise support and intensify its campaign until Jonathan publicly responds to their appeal.
The protesters reportedly waited for several hours in hopes of meeting the former president, but he was said to be away at the time. Sources later indicated that Jonathan returned to the residence shortly after the group had dispersed.
The rally is the latest in a series of calls from various political groups and supporters urging Jonathan to consider another presidential bid ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A similar wave of support emerged before the 2023 elections, when some political actors even obtained presidential nomination forms on his behalf, sparking national debate over his eligibility and political intentions. Jonathan, however, declined to participate in the race and distanced himself from the campaign.
Since leaving office in 2015, Jonathan has largely remained outside partisan politics, focusing on diplomatic engagements, mediation efforts, and election observation missions across Africa. Despite this, calls for his return to active politics continue to surface as the 2027 elections draw closer.
