Jonathan’s office denies reports that he proposed a maximum age of 50 for African leaders...

The office of former President Goodluck Jonathan has refuted what it described as a misrepresentation of his recent remarks on youth participation in governance.

In a statement issued by his Media Adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, the former President said social media reports suggesting he advocated a maximum age of 50 for African leaders had taken his comments out of context.

CBI News reports that Jonathan had spoken at the 50th anniversary commemoration of the passing of Murtala Mohammed, where he reflected on youth leadership and generational inclusion in governance.

According to the statement, his remarks were not a call for a fixed age limit but an appeal for broader generational representation in public office.

“The event was a memorial in honour of General Murtala Mohammed, who assumed office at the youthful age of 36,” Eze explained.

“In reflecting on his legacy, former President Jonathan highlighted the importance of youth participation in governance, using the experiences of leaders from that era as reference points.”

The statement noted that Jonathan cited examples such as a 38-year-old Olusegun Obasanjo, a 32-year-old Yakubu Gowon, and a 24-year-old Alfred Diete-Spiff to underscore the historical impact of young leaders.

“These examples were intended to encourage greater youth inclusion in governance across Africa,” the statement said.

Eze stressed that Jonathan’s central message focused on competence, innovation and capacity rather than age restrictions.

“President Jonathan’s central message was not about setting a rigid age limit for leadership. Rather, he emphasised the need to prioritise competence, capacity, innovation, technological awareness, and the energy required to meet the demanding responsibilities of public office,” the statement read.

He added, “His remarks were a call for generational inclusion and leadership renewal, not an exclusion of older individuals from public service.”

The statement also dismissed claims that Jonathan sought to disqualify older politicians, noting that he himself assumed Nigeria’s highest office in his fifties.

“President Jonathan maintains that leadership should be defined by vision, character, competence, and the physical and mental ability to serve, not by age alone,” it added.

Eze expressed optimism that the clarification would resolve any misunderstanding.

“We trust that this clarification puts the matter in proper perspective and addresses any misunderstanding arising from the former President’s remarks,” he said.