Former President Goodluck Jonathan has responded sharply to criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioning the idea that age determines leadership ability.

The reaction comes after Atiku, during an appearance on Prime Time on Arise TV, described Jonathan as inexperienced while reflecting on past administrations.

His comments have since stirred fresh political debate, especially as alignments begin to shape ahead of future elections.

Speaking on Monday in Abuja at the 2025 Association of Retired Career Ambassadors of Nigeria awards ceremony, Jonathan addressed the remarks directly. He defended his time in office and insisted that mistakes are part of leadership.

“So not too long ago, a very senior politician said, ‘Oh, Jonathan was too young and probably that’s why he made mistakes,’” he said.

Jonathan did not deny that errors may have occurred during his presidency. However, he stressed that no leader governs without challenges or missteps, regardless of experience or age.

“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,” he added.

The former president then posed a rhetorical question that drew attention from the audience. “All human beings must make mistakes. 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?”

Jonathan’s response appears to push back against what many see as a growing trend of political figures revisiting past administrations to score points ahead of future contests.

Earlier, Atiku had not only criticised Jonathan but also weighed in on other political figures. He is currently seeking a presidential ticket under the African Democratic Congress, where he is competing with notable names including Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rabiu Kwankwaso.

During the interview, Atiku also assessed the strength of his potential rivals. He downplayed the influence of Kwankwaso and Aminu Tambuwal in the North. He suggested Obi’s support remains largely within the South-East. He also limited Amaechi’s political strength to the South-South region.

In addition, Atiku expressed dissatisfaction with the administration of President Bola Tinubu, adding another layer to the ongoing political discourse.

Jonathan, however, kept his focus on leadership realities. He maintained that governance is complex and that every administration must navigate difficult decisions.

He noted that while criticisms are expected in politics, they should be balanced with an understanding of the circumstances leaders face while in office.