A coalition of Nigerian youths and civil society organisations on Wednesday staged a protest at the Abuja residence of former President Goodluck Jonathan, calling on him to contest in the 2027 presidential election.
The demonstrators occupied parts of the Federal Capital Territory, chanting slogans and displaying placards urging the former leader to return to power. Messages on the placards included, “GEJ: Nigeria is dying, save it!” and “GEJ, Nigerian youths break the medicine wey dem do you,” reflecting growing public sentiment for his comeback.
Another placard read, “GEJ, if you don’t run, we quench.”
Speaking during the protest, public affairs analyst and former Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Tom Ohikere, said the group had engaged in nationwide consultations over the past six months, during which calls for Jonathan’s return were widespread.
“We have waited for over three hours hoping to meet him, but he has not come out. Everywhere we visited, the clamour for his return to rescue the country has been loud and unmistakable,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, Jonathan had yet to respond officially to the calls.
The protest adds to mounting pressure from political groups and Nigerians in the diaspora urging the former president to re-enter the political arena ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the development comes amid internal tensions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where party members and supporters have also staged protests at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding the reinstatement of the leadership led by former Senate President David Mark.
The renewed wave of political activity signals increasing momentum and alignments ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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