Jonathan Defends Record, Says Leadership Involves Mistakes in Response to Atiku Criticism

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pushed back against remarks by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently questioned his experience and leadership capacity during his presidency.

Atiku, speaking on Arise TV, had said:
“I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but also inexperienced…”

Responding at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards in Abuja, Jonathan said leadership is never free of errors but insisted his age at the time was not a limitation.

“So not too long ago, a very senior politician said, ‘Oh, Jonathan was too young and probably that’s why he made mistakes.’

“If I made mistakes, yes, nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes…”

He added that he assumed office in 2010 at age 53 and left in 2015 at 58, questioning the idea that youth equates to incompetence.

“Must it have been 100 years before I ran the affairs of the state?”

Jonathan stressed that his administration made decisions in Nigeria’s best interest and pointed to diplomatic milestones, including Nigeria’s two-time election to the United Nations Security Council.

“I’m talking to diplomats… I knew what I did for us to appear in the UN Security Council two times…”

Beyond domestic politics, he warned that instability across West Africa continues to hinder economic development.

“We cannot progress economically if we are very unstable societies politically,” he said, noting that ECOWAS’ original vision is being tested by recurring regional crises and governance challenges.

He called on West African leaders to deepen cooperation:
“The heads of states of ECOWAS must continue to work together…”

The ceremony also featured tributes to ECOWAS founders, including Yakubu Gowon, who reflected on the bloc’s origins as a product of collective regional effort and post-war diplomacy.

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