Jonathan: As president, I made mistakes but did my best

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has pushed back against claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that inexperience influenced his decisions while in office. He insisted that his time in office was marked by sincere effort and responsible leadership despite inevitable human shortcomings. Jonathan’s response comes days after Atiku, speaking during a televised interview, described […]

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has pushed back against claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that inexperience influenced his decisions while in office.

He insisted that his time in office was marked by sincere effort and responsible leadership despite inevitable human shortcomings.

Jonathan’s response comes days after Atiku, speaking during a televised interview, described him as “inexperienced” and suggested that such limitations affected his handling of national challenges while in power.

But addressing diplomats in Abuja, the former president dismissed the criticism.

He argued that no leader governs without making difficult decisions that may later be judged as mistakes.

“No one who has ever served as a governor or president will claim they did not make mistakes.If I made mistakes, yes, that is part of being human”, Jonathan said.

He questioned the basis of the age-related critique, noting that he assumed office in 2010 at 53 and left in 2015 at 58.

“They say I was too young. Must I have been 100 years old before I could lead a country?” he asked.

Jonathan maintained that his administration achieved notable milestones, particularly in Nigeria’s diplomatic standing.

He cited the country’s election into the United Nations Security Council during his tenure.

“If I were truly naive, I would not have been able to navigate that process successfully. This points to deliberate and strategic engagement on the global stage”, he said.

While responding to the criticism, Jonathan broadened his remarks to address governance challenges beyond Nigeria, warning that political instability remains the biggest obstacle to economic growth in West Africa.

He said the vision behind the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), cannot be realised without firm democratic foundations across member states.

“We cannot achieve economic progress if our societies remain politically unstable,” he stated.

Jonathan acknowledged that enforcing democratic standards within ECOWAS often creates friction, particularly around national sovereignty.

But he insisted that regional leaders must prioritise collective stability.

“That responsibility lies with heads of state working together to ensure order and continuity,” he added.

Atiku, a leading figure in the emerging opposition coalition and a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, had in the interview taken a broad swipe at several political actors.

Aside from Jonathan, he assessed the strength of other contenders, including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, while also expressing dissatisfaction with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

His remark is coming in the wake of early positioning ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

Daily Trust reports that the exchange between Jonathan and Atiku underscores the growing political undercurrents that have continued to play out ahead of the 2027 election.

Jonathan, who has largely maintained a statesman profile since leaving office in 2015, has rarely engaged directly in partisan disputes.

His response marks a notable shift in tone.