Jonathan fires back at Atiku, says no leader rules without mistakes

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has responded to criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, rejecting claims that his age and inexperience were responsible for mistakes made during his time in office.

Atiku, who is seeking the presidency under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had recently described Jonathan as inexperienced, saying his administration was marked by notable errors.

Speaking on Arise TV, Atiku said: “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.”

Reacting during the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Jonathan said mistakes are part of leadership and no human being is above error.

“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. Even when you promote yourself to the level of a god, you become a deity.

“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?” he said.

Jonathan maintained that despite any shortcomings, he made decisions he believed were in Nigeria’s best interest.

He pointed to diplomatic gains recorded during his administration, including Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council.

“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,” he added.

The former president also raised concerns about political instability in West Africa, warning that it remains a major obstacle to economic progress in the sub-region.

“We cannot progress economically if we are very unstable societies politically,” Jonathan said.

He noted that while the founders of ECOWAS envisioned stronger economic cooperation, recurring political crises have slowed progress, especially in enforcing democratic values among member states.

“That means that ECOWAS must interfere with the internal affairs of the states, and the issue of sovereignty becomes a problem,” he said.

Jonathan urged leaders across the region to work together for peace and stability.

“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,” he stated.

Paying tribute to the founders of ECOWAS, including former Head of State Yakubu Gowon, Jonathan described the creation of the regional bloc in 1975 as a bold move toward unity and economic integration.

Gowon, who was also honoured at the event, said the idea for ECOWAS emerged from diplomatic engagements after Nigeria’s civil war.

He said regional leaders agreed on the need for a framework that would strengthen cooperation among West African countries.

“This would not have been possible without the support of all the staff of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Development,” Gowon said.

Also speaking, President of the Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria, Joe Keshi, said the awards recognise dedication and excellence in diplomacy.

“Diplomacy is one profession where success is often invisible, reflected not by news coverage, but by maintained stability, prevented conflicts, cultivated partnerships,” he said.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Waheed Shaibu, also praised Gowon, describing him as a symbol of unity, patriotism and visionary leadership.