Former Minister Bashir Yuguda Rejects Claims of Inexperience Against Former President Goodluck Jonathan

Former Minister Bashir Yuguda rejects Atiku Abubakar’s claims that Goodluck Jonathan was inexperienced, citing economic growth and democratic stability.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 6:20 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Nigerian

Rejection of the Inexperience Narrative

Bashir Yuguda, a former Minister and diplomat, has issued a vigorous defense of Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential record, characterizing the label of "inexperience" as a flawed and inaccurate narrative. Yuguda's statement comes as a direct response to recent television remarks by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who suggested that the difficulties faced during Jonathan's tenure were a result of insufficient preparation. Yuguda argued that Jonathan was an international statesman whose leadership was defined by calculated, institutional actions rather than a lack of governing knowledge.

Executive Pedigree and Governance Transition

Yuguda emphasized that before assuming the presidency, Jonathan had navigated a comprehensive spectrum of executive roles, serving as deputy governor, governor, vice-president, and acting president. According to Yuguda, these were not passive positions but significant experiences in managing governance at the highest levels of the Nigerian state. He noted that Jonathan’s transition to the presidency during the delicate period following the illness of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua demonstrated a capacity for steady leadership under extreme national pressure.

Economic Milestones and Institutional Stability

During Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria attained the status of Africa’s largest economy, a feat Yuguda attributes to a leadership style that encouraged institutional function over political spectacle. The former minister highlighted that this period saw a decline in poverty levels and maintained strong investor confidence. Furthermore, reforms in the agricultural sector transitioned it from subsistence to sustainability, earning international recognition for hunger reduction. Yuguda also cited the rehabilitation of the long-neglected Zaria–Gusau–Kaura Namoda rail line as evidence of infrastructure development.