Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has called on Nigerian youths to become more actively involved in the country’s electoral process, warning against growing voter apathy ahead of future elections.

Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday after a large group of youths visited his residence to urge him to contest the 2027 presidential election.

While addressing the supporters, the former president pointed out what he described as a major contradiction, many young Nigerians demanding political change are not even registered to vote.

“Probably 50% of you don’t even have voters card and you are asking me to go and contest the election,” he told the crowd.

Jonathan urged young people to take elections seriously and participate fully in democratic processes, stressing that meaningful political change cannot happen without active voter involvement.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to pay attention to increasing voter apathy across the country.

According to him, many Nigerians are gradually losing interest in elections, a trend he believes poses a danger to democracy.

“Young citizens of the country must be involved in the electoral process,” he said.

However, while supporters continue to push for Jonathan’s return to active politics, a legal battle is already emerging over whether he is constitutionally eligible to contest again.

A Federal High Court in Abuja is expected to hear a suit on Friday seeking to stop Jonathan from participating in the 2027 presidential election.

The suit was filed by lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, who argued that Jonathan has already exhausted the constitutional limit allowed for a Nigerian president.

The plaintiff asked the court to restrain Jonathan from presenting himself as a presidential candidate and also prevent INEC from accepting or publishing his name if he chooses to run.

According to the legal argument, Jonathan first assumed office in 2010 following the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua before later winning the 2011 presidential election.

The suit claims that another presidential term in 2027 would amount to a third oath of office as president, which the plaintiff says would violate the Constitution.

The case has now added a legal dimension to ongoing political conversations surrounding Jonathan’s possible return.

Although the former president has not officially declared interest in the race, increasing public calls and political speculation continue to keep his name at the centre of national discussions.

For many Nigerians, the situation raises bigger questions about leadership, constitutional interpretation, youth participation, and the future direction of the country ahead of 2027.

And as both political pressure and legal scrutiny intensify, Jonathan remains one of the most closely watched figures in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.