“Contesting for the Presidency is not a computer game.” Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan

Hinzugefügt: 2026-05-14

[00:00:01]My children, my brothers, and my sisters.

[00:00:06]First and foremost, uh let me welcome you to my office in Abuja here.

[00:00:15]And thank you for showing interest in your country.

[00:00:20]If you have no interest in the country, you will not bother to be here.

[00:00:24]So, I can say that you are showing signs of being patriotic Nigerian.

[00:00:30]>> [laughter] >> And I will encourage you to continue to be patriotic to the country.

[00:00:35]It's only patriotic citizens that build their nations.

[00:00:38]Unpatriotic citizens will destroy their nation, take the money to anywhere to enjoy their life.

[00:00:45]So, you must be patriotic.

[00:00:48]And things are very, very clear.

[00:00:50]The key thing we need in this country is peace.

[00:00:55]So, as young people, cuz most of you here, more than 80% of you are very young people.

[00:01:01]I don't even know how old some of you were when I was the president.

[00:01:04]But the key thing is peace in this country, and you will continue to advocate for that.

[00:01:09]And you continue to advocate for peaceful and credible elections in the country.

[00:01:14]Because if we don't have peaceful and credible elections, most good citizens will not want to bother to get involved in politics. And as youth, you will continue to advocate for that.

[00:01:26]It's very dear to us, peaceful elections. And indeed, you as young people must continue to be fully involved in the electoral processes, especially your right to vote.

[00:01:40]I've observed elections in about 14 or more African countries. Some have been there two times.

[00:01:48]And even uh Southeast Asia, Nigeria have the lowest turnout of elections in every election cycle. We have the highest voters apathy.

[00:01:57]And it shows us if people are not even interested in the election.

[00:02:01]We have the worst, the least.

[00:02:03]I've never been to a country that has the low numbers we have. Tens of percentage of voters.

[00:02:08]I think I need to do something about it.

[00:02:10]We need to study it, get consultants to look at it and what is the cause and do something.

[00:02:16]As young people, you must be involved in the electoral process. If I ask how many of you have your voters' cards now, probably 50% of you don't even have voters' cards. And you're asking me to go and contest this election. So, you must be patriotic. You must participate in the electoral process.

[00:02:34]Yes, you are asking me to come and contest the next elections.

[00:02:41]Presidential race is not a computer game.

[00:02:45]But I've heard you.

[00:02:47]And I will consult widely.

[00:02:50]But the most important thing is in Nigeria that the young people will have hope.

[00:02:57]A Nigeria that will plan for grandchildren.

[00:03:04]These countries, people travel abroad to go and enjoy.

[00:03:07]These things don't happen overnight.

[00:03:09]Leaders after leaders plan for their grandchildren.

[00:03:13]And build their country. So, every year you see things being added and added until they are in this kind of semi-paradise world they enjoy.

[00:03:24]The job passing drum in Nigeria has to stop.

[00:03:28]The highest level of disdain shown to Nigerian youths abroad has to stop.

[00:03:34]Even African countries that we helped, African countries that even when we are students, part of our scholarship money is we are contributing to solve problems in those countries, I treating Nigerians as if we all bunch of idiots and criminals because probably we leaders have not been able to build our country.

[00:04:01]Give hope to our young people.

[00:04:04]And even attract others to come here and work.

[00:04:08]This is a task that face all Nigerian leaders.

[00:04:12]These things could be done by any other person. It may not necessarily be Jonathan.

[00:04:16]But I heard you.

[00:04:18]I will consult.

[00:04:20]And probably of course the the race is getting close. Your Excellency. Yes. For many Nigerians within their early twenties and below it sounds like music to their ears that Nigeria was born the largest economy under your watch.

[00:04:38]Don't you feel the weight on your shoulder to exceed the request of these Nigerians to contest for the presidency of 2027 again?

[00:04:49]I thank you. I have heard them. Just like I said you must have pardon me. I said that contesting presidency is not a computer game.

[00:04:59]I have heard from the young people.

[00:05:02]I will consult.

[00:05:04]I cannot just wake up and say I want to be the president of Nigeria again.

[00:05:09]But I am telling you that I will consult.

[00:05:14]If there's need to, fine. I will like that.

[00:05:20]Thank you.

[00:05:22]Yeah, your mics.

[00:05:28]So my children my brothers my sisters, thank you so much. God bless. Thank you.

[00:05:36]>> [applause] >> Your Excellency.

[00:05:39]>> [cheering] >> Thank you.

[00:05:42]Thank you.

[00:05:51]>> Mhm.