Former President Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to remarks by Atiku Abubakar, who described him as a “decent” but “inexperienced” leader.
Atiku, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, made the comment during an interview on Arise TV, where he attributed some of the challenges faced during Jonathan administration to a lack of adequate leadership preparation.
Speaking on Monday at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria, ARCAN, awards ceremony in Abuja, Jonathan did not directly mention Atiku but addressed the criticism.
He said, “So not too long ago, a very senior politician said Jonathan was too young and that was why he made mistakes.
“If I made mistakes, yes nobody who becomes a governor or President will say they did not make mistakes. All human beings must make mistakes.
“Must I be 100 years before I run the affairs of the state?
“If I were so naive, I don’t think I would have been able to navigate that process.”
Jonathan became Nigeria’s President after the death of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
