Arise News anchor and former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, has berated former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent remarks about former President Goodluck Jonathan, describing them as disrespectful and inappropriate.
Abati made his comments on Friday during a live programme on Arise Television, where he reacted to Atiku’s earlier interview in which the former Vice President referred to Jonathan as a “decent but inexperienced” leader.
Atiku had argued that Jonathan’s alleged lack of experience contributed to challenges during his administration and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. Atiku made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced leadership in Nigeria and positioning himself as a suitable candidate for future elections.
However, Abati strongly disagreed with the assessment, insisting that it was unfair for Atiku to describe a former head of state in such terms.
Benue JAMB candidate recounts daring escape from kidnappers’ den
He stated that Jonathan’s record as president places him above Atiku in terms of political achievement, noting that the former Vice President has made repeated attempts to occupy the same office without success.
“I think it’s condescending and very rude. Jonathan was president of this country, a position that Atiku didn’t even get to. He is still aspiring to get there 30 years after his initial aspiration. And to refer to a former president as a man who is not experienced smirks of arrogance,” Abati said.
He further added that regardless of future political developments, Atiku remains in pursuit of an office that Jonathan has already held, emphasizing the contrast in their political trajectories. [GEG excluding headline]
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
