"All Humans Make Mistakes": Jonathan Fires Back at Atiku’s "Inexperienced" Critique

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has pushed back against recent comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who characterized him as a "decent" but "inexperienced" leader. Speaking at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria (ARCAN) awards in Abuja on Monday, April 20, 2026, Jonathan addressed the critique without naming Atiku directly, stating, “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.”

The exchange follows an Arise TV interview where Atiku, now a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggested that Jonathan’s lack of leadership preparation contributed to his inability to manage national challenges. Jonathan countered this by highlighting his unique political trajectory, having served as a deputy governor, governor, vice president, and acting president before taking the top job. “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 asked, pointing to major diplomatic wins like Nigeria’s dual election to the UN Security Council as proof of his administrative competence.

While Atiku is actively positioning himself under the ADC banner, Jonathan’s supporters, including the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Project, have been quick to defend his record, arguing that "serial candidacy" does not equate to superior experience. As these two political titans trade words, the conversation is increasingly focusing on whether the "old guard" or "younger" veterans are best suited to navigate Nigeria's future.

Do you think Atiku’s "inexperienced" label is a fair assessment of the Jonathan years, or is it simply a strategic move to clear the field for his own 2027 ambitions? Share your comments below!

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