Former President Goodluck Jonathan has shifted attention from Nigeria’s 66 years of independence to the country’s next major democratic test, saying the 2027 general election will reveal how far the nation has matured politically.

Jonathan, in his Independence Day message to Nigerians on Thursday, called on citizens to approach the approaching electoral season with a commitment to peace, unity and justice.

He said the significance of the 2027 election would go beyond the contest for political offices, as the conduct of the process would provide another measure of Nigeria’s democratic development.

“In a few months, we will enter another electoral season, a period that will test our democratic maturity,” Jonathan said.

The former President urged Nigerians to remain patriotic and ensure that their actions during the electoral period contribute to the preservation of peace and national unity.

His intervention comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election intensify, with political parties and aspirants already positioning themselves for contests across the country.

Jonathan, who governed Nigeria between 2010 and 2015, also used the Independence anniversary to reflect on the country’s journey since it attained self-rule in 1960.

He acknowledged the challenges Nigeria had encountered over the decades but said the country had continued to navigate them through the resilience of its people.

“Today, our nation marks another significant milestone in its journey of nationhood. Sixty-six years ago, we secured our independence and took our destiny into our own hands,” he said.

Jonathan urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country despite its difficulties, stressing the need for citizens to remain united and committed to building a better future.

He said the country’s democratic journey required citizens to take responsibility for the choices and actions that shape its future.

The former President’s message places the 2027 election within the broader history of Nigeria’s nation-building, linking the forthcoming political contest to the country’s continuing effort to strengthen democratic governance.

As Nigeria marks 66 years of independence, Jonathan’s appeal therefore centres on how citizens and political actors conduct themselves as the country moves towards another crucial electoral cycle.