Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said he is still consulting over growing calls for him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday while receiving a delegation of youths under the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan at his Abuja residence, where they urged him to join the presidential race next year.

Welcoming the group, the former president commended their interest in national affairs, describing it as a sign 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.”

Responding to the calls for him to contest, Jonathan said the decision requires broad consultations.

“Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections. The presidential race is not a computer game, but I’ve heard you, and I’ll consult widely,” he added.

The former Bayelsa State governor also urged young Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process, particularly by obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Expressing concern over voter apathy, Jonathan noted that many young people calling for political change are often absent during elections.

“As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he said. “If I ask how many of you have your voter cards now, probably 50 per cent of you don’t even have voter cards, and you’re asking me to go and contest the election. So you must be patriotic, you must participate in the electoral process.”

According to him, Nigeria records one of the lowest voter turnouts despite its population and democratic size.

“We have the highest voter apathy. I’ve had to study it, get consultants who look at it and what the cause is, and do something. As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process,” he said.

Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015 after previously holding office as vice president.

Although he has largely stayed away from partisan politics since leaving office, calls for him to return to the presidential race have continued from political groups and supporters who believe he still has the experience and national appeal to lead the country again.

Since leaving office, Jonathan has remained active internationally, participating in election observer missions across several African countries.