Pro-Goodluck Jonathan Group Tackles Atiku Over Comments Against Ex-President

A pro-Goodluck Jonathan group has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent remarks describing the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan as “inexperienced.”

The reaction came from Juan Amechee Governor, National Coordinator of the Goodluck Jonathan Legacy Project (GJLP), who described Atiku’s comments as “unfortunate and revisionist.”

In a statement released on Thursday, Juan said Atiku lacked the moral authority to assess Jonathan’s leadership record, noting that the former president had held multiple high-level offices before assuming power.

“To describe Dr. Jonathan as ‘inexperienced’ is a flight from reality,” he said. “Before assuming the presidency, Dr. Jonathan served as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, and Acting President.”

He added that if such a résumé could be termed inexperience, then the benchmark for leadership must be questionable.

Juan also took a swipe at Atiku’s long-standing presidential ambitions, stating:

“It is unfortunate that this statement is coming from a career presidential candidate who lacks the moral authority to speak about experience… If ‘experience’ is defined by being a serial presidential candidate… one must ask why such experience has failed to translate into national leadership for him.”

The GJLP coordinator further argued that Atiku’s political history reflects division rather than leadership, alleging that he has consistently been a polarising figure across parties.

“Throughout his years in politics, Atiku has shown a lack of the tact and experience required to govern at the highest level, proving to be a figure of political division in every party he finds himself,” he said.

Defending Jonathan’s record, Juan highlighted key achievements of his administration, including economic growth, agricultural reforms, and international recognition.

“The Jonathan administration presided over one of the most reform-driven periods in Nigeria’s history… Nigeria became Africa’s largest economy and attracted the highest Foreign Direct Investment on the continent,” he stated.

He also pointed to Jonathan’s democratic credentials, particularly his decision to concede defeat in the 2015 election.

“On democracy, Dr. Jonathan set a standard that remains unmatched: he conceded power peacefully, placing national stability above personal ambition.”

Juan concluded that Nigerians are capable of judging leadership based on results rather than political rhetoric.

“Dr. Jonathan’s record is public, measurable, and enduring. No amount of convenient revisionism can erase it.”

The exchange marks another escalation in political tensions as key figures and interest groups continue to trade words ahead of the 2027 general elections.