Jonathan Rebuts Atiku, Defends His Record in Office

Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has responded to criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, maintaining that he did his utmost while leading the country, even as he acknowledged the inevitability of mistakes in governance.

The remarks follow Atiku’s recent television interview, where he characterized Jonathan as inexperienced and implied that this affected his handling of national affairs during his presidency.

Speaking on Monday at the 2025 awards ceremony of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria in Abuja, Jonathan argued that errors are a normal part of leadership and should not overshadow the broader accomplishments of any administration.

He admitted that, like any leader, he made mistakes, stressing that no governor or president can claim a flawless record.

Addressing concerns about his age while in office, Jonathan rejected suggestions that he was too young to lead. He noted that he assumed the presidency in 2010 at 53 and left in 2015 at 58, questioning the notion that effective leadership depends on advanced age.

Jonathan also stood by key policy decisions from his tenure, particularly in foreign affairs. He pointed to Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council as a significant achievement, emphasizing that such a milestone required deliberate strategy and capable leadership.

He added that securing Nigeria’s place on the council twice during his administration reflected the competence of his government, countering claims of inexperience.

Beyond responding to Atiku’s comments, Jonathan highlighted the importance of political stability across West Africa, warning that sustained economic growth in the region depends on strong and stable governance systems.

While conceding that no government is without shortcomings, he maintained that his administration delivered meaningful progress both at home and internationally, and should be judged within the full context of its successes and challenges.