By Franklin Adole
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has remained silent despite mounting pressure from multiple coalitions, youth groups, and civil society organisations urging him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The latest push came as a nationwide coalition stormed Jonathan’s Abuja office, calling on him to “rescue Nigeria” by declaring his interest in the race. Operating under the banner of the Coalition for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the group said its appeal followed six months of consultations across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Led by its National President, Dr. Tom Ohikere, the coalition described its mission as a direct mandate from Nigerians dissatisfied with current conditions in the country.
“The message is short, direct, and simple. Nigerians have asked us to plead with him to come to the rescue of our nation,” Ohikere said, insisting that the clamour for Jonathan’s return has been “loud and unmistakable.”
The pressure intensified on Wednesday as hundreds of youths and civil society actors converged on the former president’s office, chanting and dancing while wielding placards with messages such as “Nigeria is dying, save it!” and “If you don’t run, we quench.”
The demonstrators occupied major routes around Taraba Close, Tanganyika Street, and the IBB Way axis, disrupting traffic for hours as they waited in anticipation of Jonathan’s appearance. However, he failed to show up, leaving the crowd to disperse after more than three hours.
Sources indicated that the former president and his aides had no prior knowledge of the protest, a development that reportedly caused confusion within his camp.
Despite his absence, the coalition doubled down, vowing to sustain the pressure until Jonathan responds.
Beyond the street protests, organised political movements are also mobilising aggressively. The Goodluck Nigeria Movement (GNM) announced plans to rally as many as 200 million Nigerians in support of Jonathan’s candidacy.
Its National Chairman, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, described the former president as a leader with “nothing to prove but everything to offer,” positioning him as a symbol of hope amid widespread economic hardship and insecurity.
“The rescue mission starts today,” Ikiogha declared, adding that the group would expand its campaign across communities, media platforms, and the diaspora.
Other groups, including the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and the New Nigeria Integrity Movement, as well as diaspora-based platforms like the Goodluckans Movement 2027, have also joined the growing chorus urging Jonathan to return to active politics.
Supporters argue that his past record in office, including his widely praised concession in the 2015 election, demonstrates the temperament and leadership needed to stabilise the country.
Yet, despite the swelling momentum and repeated calls portraying him as a unifying figure capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, Jonathan has neither confirmed nor denied any intention to run.
As of press time, the former president, long associated with the mantra that “his ambition is not worth any blood,” has not issued any official statement, leaving both supporters and political observers guessing about his next move.