“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential election… Young, old, girls and boys, men and women are all here crying for your voice to say ‘Yes’ to our request”
Those were some of the words and earnest plea of a crowd of group of supporters who stormed the Abuja office of former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. They told him:
“The mammoth crowd that came with us here today is a fragment of our supporters nationwide.
“Because of our genuine fear of (Nigeria’s) possible collapse … we decided to march on your office today again, hoping that you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation.
“Your Excellency, we have over 10 million supporters nationwide … . And then, we represent every tribe, every political party, and tongue. Young, old, girls and boys, men and women are all here crying for your voice to say ‘Yes’ to our request.
“We’re asking you, sir, to kindly make a commitment for the 2027 presidential election.
“Secondly, we want you to immediately pick a presidential nomination form of any party of your choice to contest the election”, they pleaded with the former president.
Responding, Jonathan said he would consult widely before taking any decision, stressing that leadership required careful consideration.
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In his words: “You are asking me to come and contest the next election. Presidential race is not a computer game. But I’ve heard you and I’ll consult widely,”
Appreciating the youths for showing interest in the political welfare of their country, the former president said:
“If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here
“The key thing we need in this country is peace.
“You 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 to get involved in politics.
“I’ve observed elections in about 14 or more African countries and even Southeast Asia. Nigeria has the lowest turnout in every election cycle.
“I think INEC needs to do something about it. They need to start to get consultants to look at it. And what is the cause? As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he stated.
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On The Need For Young People To Have Voters’ Cards
“If I ask how many of you have your voter’s card now, probably 50% of you don’t have your voter’s card. And you’re asking me to go and contest the election. So you must participate in the electoral process,” he said.
“The highest level of disdain shown to Nigerian youths abroad has to stop. Even African countries that we have, African countries that even when we are students, as of our scholarship monies, we are contributing to solve problems in those countries,” he said.
Consulting Before Throwing His Cap Into The 2027 Presidential Election
“I will consult. I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again. But I am telling you that I will consult. If there is a need to, I will wait,” Jonathan stated.
The Eagle reports that about this time last month, a similar scenario played out when a crowd of Nigerian youths and civil society organisations stormed the Abuja office of the former president urging him to contest in the 2027 presidential election.
They were armed with placards indicating that the country needed a rescue from political and social problems, and urging Dr Jonathan to make himself available.
Reacting to the situation, former Commissioner for Information in Kogi State, Tom Ohikere, said it had been the same reaction everywhere the former president had been.
“Everywhere that we have visited in the course of our nationwide consultation over a period of six months, the clamor for his return to power to rescue our country has been loud and unmistakable,” he said.
Cami Ezenwa is a Writer, Editor, Publicist, Biographer and Journalism Trainer
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