Yuguda made the remarks in response to criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who had questioned Jonathan’s competence and described his administration as unsuccessful.

In a statement released to journalists on Friday, Yuguda dismissed Atiku’s claims as inaccurate, arguing that they did not reflect the realities of Jonathan’s time in office.

He maintained that Jonathan’s record in democratic governance, economic management, and statesmanship remains intact and should not be distorted by what he called misleading narratives.

Yuguda, who previously served as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, noted that Jonathan had already gained extensive leadership experience before becoming President, having served as Deputy Governor, Governor, Vice President, and Acting President during the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s illness.

According to him, these roles provided Jonathan with significant exposure to national leadership responsibilities.

He highlighted that during Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria recorded notable economic growth, including becoming Africa’s largest economy, attracting increased investor confidence, and maintaining relative macroeconomic stability, with a reported reduction in poverty levels based on institutional data.

Yuguda also credited the administration with reviving railway services across the country, including the rehabilitation of key routes such as the Zaria–Gusau–Kaura Namoda line, which had been neglected for decades.

He further pointed to reforms in the education sector, including the establishment of multiple federal universities and Almajiri schools aimed at expanding access to education nationwide.

The former minister said Jonathan was widely respected for his calm temperament and leadership style, noting that he often discouraged confrontational responses from his aides, even in the face of criticism.

Yuguda also recalled Jonathan’s loyalty to former President Yar’Adua and his continued respectful engagement with successive presidents, including President Bola Tinubu.

He contrasted this with past political disagreements between other national leaders, suggesting Jonathan’s conduct reflected a more statesmanlike approach.

While acknowledging that no leader is without flaws, Yuguda insisted that Jonathan’s presidency should not be judged as a failure or dismissed as inexperienced leadership.

He emphasized Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat in the 2015 election as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy, describing it as a selfless act that strengthened the country’s democratic culture.

Yuguda concluded that Jonathan remains a respected figure in peacebuilding and electoral observation efforts across Africa due to his restrained and diplomatic approach to governance and public engagement.

He added that historical records and tangible achievements, rather than political revisionism, should shape how Jonathan’s legacy is assessed.