Inexperience behind Nigeria’s leadership failures — Atiku

Atiku Abubakar

FORMER Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has defended his renewed presidential ambition ahead of 2027, arguing that Nigeria’s leadership crisis stems largely from inexperience at the highest level of governance.

He stated this in an interview on Arise Television.  Atiku, who has been aspiring for the presidency since 1993, said his experience as a former Vice President and ex-military governor sets him apart from President Bola Tinubu. He maintained that the country needs tested leadership to navigate its challenges.

Atiku said the party would work towards consensus in the selection of candidate.

Asked if he would step down for Mr. Peter Obi. Atiku said he would do so if Obi emerged winner of the primaries.

Asked why Nigerians should trust him after several previous attempts and despite his age, Atiku said: “There is a clear and stark difference. Take the cases of state governors in a number of states being headed by relatively young people are failing woefully simply because at the apex, they do not have a capable and experienced president to guide them.

“That’s why we have been having a number of woeful leadership in a number of states because they are being headed by inexperienced young men.”

He argued that leadership failures at sub-national levels reflect a deeper systemic issue driven by lack of guidance and experience at the centre.

According to him, “young men also require experience to be able to succeed,” stressing that governance is not merely about age but exposure and mentorship.

The former vice president further cited past administrations to support his argument, pointing to the era of former President Goodluck Jonathan as an example where inexperience contributed to governance challenges.

“I know him very well, a decent young man, but also inexperienced. That, I believe, contributed to his failure to manage affairs of the country, particularly when he was faced with challenges,” Atiku said.

He maintained that Nigeria must invest in structured leadership development for younger politicians, noting that expectations of youthful leadership have not been met.

“I still believe our expectations of young leadership are below what we thought. They require experience and tutelage from the older generation,” he said.

Atiku, however, acknowledged that such mentorship is most effective within the corridors of power, drawing from his own experience under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“What I was able to learn from President Obasanjo through his experience, I couldn’t have learned it outside,” he said.

On criticisms that he represents the old political establishment, Atiku dismissed such claims, arguing that political experience remains indispensable for effective governance.

“Political experience has been mixed, but we have had many young governors who failed woefully. They still require tutelage and experience,” he added.

The former Vice President also defended his role in the emerging coalition under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, saying it was borne out of a strategic assessment of Nigeria’s political landscape.

“I studied the political history of Nigeria and saw how alliances worked… There was a decline in the popularity of PDP. There was no way it could have won on its own without a coalition,” he said.

Atiku described the coalition as both a platform for change and a response to what he termed dissatisfaction with the current administration.

“Bola has been a very bad president… it’s a disappointment,” he said.

He further accused the current government of weakening democratic institutions and undermining checks and balances, warning that such trends pose risks to Nigeria’s democracy.

Despite concerns over competing ambitions within the coalition, Atiku expressed confidence that experienced politicians would manage differences and produce a consensus candidate if possible.

Framing the 2027 election as a defining moment, Atiku insisted that Nigeria’s future depends on leadership that combines experience, vision and the ability to mentor the next generation.