Former President Jonathan Breaks Silence on Atiku's Inexperience Remarks
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has publicly defended his presidential tenure following critical comments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The response came during the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards ceremony held in Abuja on Monday, April 21, where Jonathan addressed the gathering of diplomats and retired ambassadors.
Jonathan Responds to Atiku's Leadership Critique
Atiku Abubakar, an African Democratic Congress presidential aspirant, had previously described Jonathan as "inexperienced" in a televised interview, suggesting this contributed to governance challenges during Jonathan's administration from 2010 to 2015. The former vice president stated, "I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but also inexperienced, and I believe that contributed to his inability to manage the affairs of the country, particularly when he was faced with challenges."
Jonathan countered these claims by asserting that he served Nigeria to the best of his ability during his presidency. "If I made mistakes, yes, nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes. Even when you promote yourself to the level of a god, you become a deity," Jonathan explained. "All human beings must make mistakes. I became president in 2010 at the age of 53. I left in 2015 at the age of 58, and they say I was too young. Must it have been 100 years before I ran the affairs of the state?"
Diplomatic Achievements Highlighted
The former president emphasized Nigeria's foreign policy successes during his administration, particularly highlighting the country's representation at the United Nations Security Council on two separate occasions. Speaking directly to the diplomatic audience, Jonathan stated, "I'm talking to diplomats, so I can say that during my period, I knew what I did for us to appear in the UN Security Council two times. If I were so naive, I don't think I would have been able to navigate through that process."
Warning on West African Political Stability
Jonathan used the platform to issue a cautionary message about political stability in West Africa, stressing its importance for regional economic development. "We cannot progress economically if we are very unstable societies politically," he warned. The former president called for strengthened cooperation within the Economic Community of West African States despite challenges around sovereignty and democratic enforcement.
"The heads of states of ECOWAS must continue to work together and agree on concrete terms and make sure that the sub-region is politically stable," Jonathan urged. He emphasized that economic integration efforts would remain limited without corresponding political stability across the region.
Call for Stronger Democratic Institutions
Jonathan advocated for deeper democratic institutions throughout West Africa and encouraged Nigerian diplomats to document foreign policy experiences to guide future administrations. This documentation, he suggested, would improve decision-making in international relations and provide valuable institutional memory for the country's diplomatic corps.
Gowon Honored at Same Event
The ARCAN awards ceremony also honored former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, who reflected on the origins of ECOWAS. Gowon described the regional body's creation as a collective effort rooted in post-conflict diplomacy, stating, "It was as a result of the various efforts of all Nigerians when we went through a very difficult period." He praised the collaborative spirit that established ECOWAS and questioned why similar cooperative frameworks couldn't be developed for contemporary challenges.
This exchange between two prominent Nigerian political figures comes amid ongoing political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections, with various political actors positioning themselves and critiquing past administrations. Jonathan's defense of his presidency represents a significant intervention in this ongoing political conversation, particularly as it addresses questions of leadership experience and governance effectiveness.
