Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged young Nigerians to participate actively in electoral processes, particularly by obtaining their voter cards, noting that voter apathy remains a major challenge in the country.
Jonathan spoke on Thursday when youths, on the platform of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan, converged on his Abuja residence, asking him to join the 2027 presidential race.
He told them: “As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process”.
“If I ask how many of you have your voter’s cards now, probably 50 percent of you don’t even have voter’s cards, and you’re asking me to go and contest the election. So you must be patriotic, you must participate in the electoral process.”
Responding to their request, he said he would consult widely before declaring his intention to join the 2027 presidential race.
The former president, while welcoming the group, said he appreciated their interest in the country and their demonstration of patriotism.
“My children, my brothers, and my sisters, first and foremost, let me welcome you to my office in Abuja here, and thank you for showing interest in your country,” Jonathan said.
”If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here, so I can say that you are showing signs of being patriotic Nigerians, and I will encourage you to continue to be patriotic in the country.
“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections. Presidential race is not a computer game, but I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely.”
The former president noted that he has observed elections in over 14 African countries, adding that Nigeria has the lowest voter turnout in every election cycle.
“We have the highest voter’s apathy. I think I next need to do something. I’ve had to study it, get consultants who look at it, and what is the cause, and do something. As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he said.
Jonathan noted that nation-building rests on patriotic citizens, warning that the opposite weakens national development.
“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,” he said.
Jonathan said peace remains central to Nigeria’s progress, especially in ensuring credible elections that encourage citizen participation.
“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; and as youth, you continue to advocate for that. It’s very dear to us, peaceful elections,” the former president said.
He added that Nigeria must urgently address the “Japa syndrome,” warning that the country risks losing its human capital if conditions do not improve.
“The Japa syndrome in Nigeria has to stop. The highest level of disdain shown to Nigerian youths abroad has to stop,” he said.
Jonathan also lamented negative perceptions of Nigerians abroad, linking it to governance failures at home.
“These things could be done by any other person, may not necessarily be Jonathan. But I’ve heard you, I will consult and, of course, the race is getting close,” he added.
