Jonathan defends record, replies Atiku over ‘inexperience’ claim

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his time in office, insisting he did his best despite criticisms from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently described him as inexperienced.

 

Atiku, speaking during an interview on Prime Time on Arise TV, had said Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to governance challenges during his administration.

 

Responding on Monday at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) awards in Abuja, Jonathan said mistakes are inevitable in leadership.

 

“If I made mistakes, yes, nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes,” he said. “I became president at 53 and left at 58, and they say I was too young. Must it have been 100 years before I ran the affairs of the state?”

 

The former president maintained that his administration recorded notable achievements, particularly in diplomacy, citing Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council during his tenure.

 

“If I were so naive, I don’t think I would have been able to navigate through that process,” he added.

 

Beyond the exchange, Jonathan warned that political instability remains a major barrier to economic growth in West Africa, urging leaders within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to prioritise democratic governance and regional cooperation.

 

“We cannot progress economically if we are very unstable societies politically,” he said, noting that enforcing democratic norms often clashes with issues of national sovereignty.

 

Jonathan also called for better documentation of Nigeria’s foreign policy history to guide future administrations.

 

The event also featured reflections from former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (retd.), who highlighted the collective effort behind the formation of ECOWAS in 1975, describing it as a “bold and necessary” step toward regional integration.