Former President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his record in office, saying no leader governs without mistakes, following remarks by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who described him as inexperienced during an interview on Arise TV.
Speaking at an event in Abuja, Jonathan rejected suggestions that his age affected his performance, noting he assumed office at 53 and left at 58. He questioned whether leadership should be limited to much older individuals, stressing that errors are part of governance.
The former president also defended key achievements of his administration, highlighting Nigeria’s successful election into the United Nations Security Council as evidence of effective diplomatic engagement during his tenure.
Beyond the exchange with Atiku, Jonathan warned that political instability remains a major obstacle to economic development across West Africa, urging leaders to prioritise democratic stability as a foundation for growth.
He called on members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to strengthen cooperation and democratic institutions, cautioning that the region’s economic ambitions cannot be achieved without sustained political stability.
