Arise TV anchor Reuben Abati has criticised former vice president Atiku Abubakar over comments he made about former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Atiku, in a recent interview, described Jonathan as a “decent” but “inexperienced” leader, attributing some of the challenges during his administration to a lack of adequate leadership preparation.
The remarks drew criticism from supporters of the former president, who accused Atiku of disrespecting Jonathan.
Speaking during the Arise TV Morning Show, Abati, who served as Special Adviser on Media to Jonathan during his presidency, described Atiku’s comments as “condescending and very rude.”
“Jonathan was president of this country, a position that Atiku didn’t even get to,” Abati said. “He is still aspiring to get there 30 years after his initial aspiration. He is aspiring to become what the former president has already achieved.”
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly between members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and their differing views on past administrations.
Jonathan, who served as president from 2010 to 2015, handed over power peacefully to President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) after losing the 2015 election. His tenure was marked by both achievements in infrastructure development and criticism over handling security challenges, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency.
Atiku, who has run for president multiple times, remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and continues to seek the presidency, most recently contesting against Buhari in 2019.
The comments and subsequent criticism underscore the complexities of Nigeria’s political history and the sensitivities surrounding assessments of past leaders’ performances.
