Thousands of youths and civil society organisations on Wednesday converged on the Abuja office of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The demonstrators, under the aegis of the Coalition for Goodluck Jonathan, flooded the area around Taraba Close near Tanganyika Street, extending through the Farmers Market axis to IBB Way, causing significant disruption to early morning traffic.

Chanting and dancing to popular Nigerian songs, the crowd displayed placards bearing messages such as “GEJ: Nigeria is dying, save it!”, “GEJ, Nigerian youths break the medicine wey dem do you”, and “GEJ, if you no run, we quench.”

Led by Dr Tom Ohikere, the group’s national president, the protesters waited for over three hours in anticipation of the former president’s arrival, but he did not appear.

Addressing journalists, Ohikere said: “Everywhere that we have visited in the course of our nationwide consultation over a period of six months, the clamour for his return to power to rescue our country has been loud and unmistakable.”

He added that Jonathan remains “the only unifying force that can reverse the impending catastrophe looming over Nigeria.”

The demonstrators, who described themselves as “visitors”, dispersed before the former president reportedly arrived at about 1pm.

Sources indicated that Jonathan and his aides had no prior knowledge of the visit, a development said to have caused confusion within his camp. The coalition, however, vowed to return repeatedly until they receive a response.

The protest was described as peaceful, with participants drawn from various states, united in their appeal for the former president to re-enter the political arena.

As of the time of filing this report, Jonathan had yet to issue an official statement. He is widely known for his oft-quoted remark: “My ambition is not worth any blood.”

His spokesperson has also not publicly responded to the latest calls.

Wednesday’s demonstration adds to a growing wave of appeals from groups across Nigeria and in the diaspora urging the former president to reconsider a return to active politics.

Among them are the Goodluck Nigeria Movement (GNM), which recently announced plans to mobilise nationwide support for his candidacy; the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation, which has called on him to emerge as a unifying figure; and the New Nigeria Integrity Movement (NNIM), Middle Belt Zone, which in March 2026 highlighted his leadership qualities as critical to national stability.

Diaspora-based initiatives, including the Goodluckans Movement 2027, have also intensified pressure, with spokesperson Chidinma Unigwe urging Jonathan to contest, citing his democratic credentials and governance experience. (Guardian)