Arise TV anchor Reuben Abati has faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent description of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Atiku, during an interview on Wednesday, had described Jonathan as a “decent” but “inexperienced” leader, linking some of the difficulties faced during his presidency to insufficient preparation for the role.
The remarks sparked criticism from several of Jonathan’s supporters, who viewed the statement as dismissive of the former president’s record.
Reacting on Arise TV’s The Morning Show on Friday, Abati, who was Special Adviser on Media to Jonathan, took issue with Atiku’s comments.
He said Atiku’s comments were “condescending and very rude,” adding that the former number two citizen was yet to attain the position that Jonathan had reached.
“He is still aspiring to get there 30 years after his initial aspiration,” Abati added. “To refer to the former president as a decent man but a young man who is inexperienced smirks of arrogance, with due respect. Whatever happens in the 2027 election, Atiku is still aspiring to become what former president Jonathan has already achieved.”
Abati also knocked Atiku for his criticism of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s loyalty to President Bola Tinubu, stating that Atiku’s loyalty to his former principal, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, was called into question.
