“I did my best as President… all human beings must make mistakes” — Jonathan replies Atiku criticism

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has responded to criticism of his time in office, insisting he made efforts to serve the country to the best of his ability despite acknowledging that no administration is without errors.

Jonathan spoke on Monday in Abuja at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards ceremony, where he addressed recent comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar questioning his competence while in office.

Atiku Abubakar, who is contesting under the African Democratic Congress, had described Jonathan as inexperienced during a televised interview, arguing that his handling of national challenges exposed gaps in leadership judgement. He also made broader remarks about other political figures and the state of governance in Nigeria.

Responding, Jonathan said leadership always involves mistakes, regardless of age or experience.

According to him, “Nobody who becomes a governor or a president will say you did not make mistakes.” He added that assuming office at 53 and leaving at 58 should not be framed as inexperience, noting that effective governance is not determined by age alone.

Jonathan defended his record, pointing to achievements in foreign relations, including Nigeria’s election twice into the United Nations Security Council during his administration. He said such outcomes reflected structured diplomatic engagement rather than chance.

“I knew what I did for us to appear in the UN Security Council two times,” he said, arguing that his administration was not unprepared for international responsibilities.

He also reflected on broader regional issues, particularly the state of West Africa, warning that political instability continues to limit economic progress across the region.

Jonathan said the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was founded on strong integration ideals but has struggled with consistent political disruptions among member states. He noted that while regional cooperation remains essential, internal instability continues to weaken collective progress.

He added that tensions between democratic enforcement and national sovereignty remain a recurring challenge for ECOWAS, making consensus on governance standards difficult among member states.

Speaking further, Jonathan urged West African leaders to deepen cooperation in addressing instability, stressing that economic integration cannot succeed without stable political systems.

“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.

He also called on Nigerian diplomats to document foreign policy experiences to guide future administrations, saying institutional memory is critical for decision-making in international relations.

At the same event, former Head of State Yakubu Gowon reflected on the origins of ECOWAS, describing its creation in 1975 as a collective effort driven by post-war regional cooperation. He said the initiative was not the work of one individual but the result of coordinated diplomatic engagement across West Africa.

The President of ARCAN, Joe Keshi, said the awards were intended to recognise contributions in diplomacy and governance, noting that diplomatic success is often reflected in stability rather than public attention.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waheed Shaibu, also attended the ceremony, describing Gowon as a symbol of leadership defined by unity and national service.

The event formed part of activities marking ECOWAS’ 50th anniversary, with speakers reflecting on the bloc’s achievements and ongoing challenges in regional integration and governance.