Goodluck Jonathan Fires Back at Atiku’s ‘Inexperienced Leader’ Claim

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has rebutted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent remark that he was too inexperienced to lead Nigeria. Atiku, now seeking his party’s nomination for the 2027 presidential election, had described Jonathan as decent but lacking the experience to manage national affairs. Speaking at the ARCAN awards ceremony in Abuja on April 20, Jonathan never mentioned Atiku by name but made clear who he was addressing. He questioned how someone could be called inexperienced at age 53 when he took office and 58 when he left five years later. Jonathan pointed to his administration’s diplomatic successes—particularly Nigeria’s election to the United Nations Security Council—as proof of his capability. He argued that navigating such complex processes demanded skill, not naivety. He went on to warn that political instability remains a major obstacle to economic development across West Africa, urging leaders to prioritise stability for genuine progress.

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