I Did My Best—Jonathan Fires Back at Atiku’s ‘Inexperienced’ Jibe

By: Abudu Olalekan

Out of nowhere, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan fired back at Atiku Abubakar’s remarks, saying he did everything possible during his time leading the country. Though late, his response made clear he stands by his record without hesitation. Since leaving power, little has stirred him like these comments from a one-time ally. Still, he maintains he left nothing undone while serving. Even now, accountability weighs on him less than effort. Because of that, regret does not shape his view – only persistence does.

Out of nowhere, tension sparked following comments by Atiku, candidate for the African Democratic Congress, during a chat aired on Arise TV’s Prime Time. Not one to hold back, he questioned Jonathan’s readiness – called him untested. When pressure built, those gaps showed, according to Atiku, because thin experience cracks under strain.

Now speaking up, Atiku brushed aside influence claims about certain northern leaders including Kwankwaso and Tambuwal during his talk. Instead of backing their reach, he pointed out that Obi pulls most votes only from the South-East. Not far off, Amaechi’s hold tends to stay within the South-South region. With a slow pause, he shared frustration over how things are moving under President Bola Tinubu’s watch. Alongside him on different paths stand Peter Obi from Labour Party, ex-Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, plus former Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

That comment about Jonathan lit the fuse. What came next unfolded fast.

“I know Goodluck Jonathan very well,” Atiku said. “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.”

That comment caught Jonathan’s attention. Speaking Monday at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards event in Abuja, he replied – not sharply, yet clearly focused.

“Not too long ago, a very senior politician said, ‘Oh, Jonathan was too young and probably that’s why he made mistakes,’” he said. “If I made mistakes, yes. Nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes. Even if you try to promote yourself to the level of a god, you’re still human.”

He went on, a little wry: “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?”

Even so, Jonathan had more on his mind than self-defense. Fair assessment of his time in office mattered deeply to him. One moment stood out clearly – when Nigeria joined the UN Security Council while he was president.

“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…” he said. “If I were so naive, I don’t think I would have been able to navigate through that process.”

Jonathan then turned his attention to West Africa more widely. He believed steady governance forms the foundation for growth – without it, advancement stalls. What holds true here might surprise some. Stability isn’t automatic; it demands constant effort. Progress falters when leaders overlook this fact. The area cannot risk ignoring such a crucial element.

Back then, the creators of ECOWAS knew what they wanted. Lately though, things have gone off track – keeping democracy in check across countries hasn’t worked well. At first, the group cared mostly about money matters and shared markets. Still, without steady governments, growth falters. One thing leads to another: political chaos slows everything else down

Jonathan pointed out how tough it is to push for democracy without stepping on a nation’s right to self-rule. “ECOWAS has to get involved in what goes on inside countries,” he noted, “which makes sovereignty a sticking point.” Still, after weighing both sides, shared solutions should be the goal for leaders across West Africa.

“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 said. “Our ambition for economic integration cannot succeed without strong democratic institutions.”

Not far into his remarks, Jonathan turned toward Nigeria’s envoys present, urging them to record their diplomatic journeys. Pages of past choices could guide those who follow, he noted. A trail of real experience might shape wiser steps abroad down the line. He believed these records would ground decisions in what actually happened before.

That day turned into something deeper, a quiet nod to history. Not just celebration – Jonathan spoke of those who built ECOWAS long ago, voices now distant but still shaping things today. Among them stood Yakubu Gowon, once leader of Nigeria, remembered here for his role in stitching nations together back in ’75. His vision? Called bold without flourish. Ambitious, yes – but framed as what had to be done. Necessary was the word used, simple and firm.

Gowon, who was also honored at the ceremony, reflected on how ECOWAS came about after Nigeria’s difficult years. “It was as a result of the various efforts of all Nigerians when we went through a very difficult period, and I had to go to the various countries to say thank you,” he said.

As he traveled and talked with other leaders, Gowon noticed a pattern: many countries already had bilateral agreements with one another. “Why don’t we also think about having something that we can at least have in agreement for all of us when we are working together?” he recalled asking.

And he was quick to share the credit. “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,” he said. “The honour that is being done to me today should really go back to all the staff that worked so hard to make sure that this became a reality.”

Out of view, much labor still matters, Joe Keshi remarked. Head of ARCAN, he spoke at the event where quiet efforts earn recognition. Success in diplomacy? It shows up quietly – steady peace, avoided crises, slow-built trust among nations. Not flashes on screens, but calm across borders marks real progress. This year also counts fifty since ECOWAS began its path. New pressures rise now: unrest, warming climates, shifting economies. His point landed without force – he simply asked those serving to stay steady amid changing ground.

Out front, Lt Gen Waheed Shaibu spoke up for Gowon, framing him as proof that steady vision can hold a country together. Not far behind, he tipped his hat to ARCAN, describing it not just as talk but as quiet power shaping how Nigeria steps into global spaces. While one moment looked back with respect, the next leaned forward – seeing thought and dialogue as tools, not trends.