Nigerian Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has explained the role he played in encouraging the then Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to assume the presidency when President Umaru Yar\u2019Adua became incapacitated
\nin 2010.<\/p>\n
Otedola, in his forthcoming book scheduled for release in November, recalled how he asked Jonathan to \u201cbe a man\u201d and occupy Yar\u2019Adua\u2019s empty seat in the next Federal Executive Council meeting.<\/p>\n
According to Channels TV, Otedola stated these in his book, writing on the events around when Yar\u2019Adua failed to formally transfer power to his VP when he was flown abroad for medical treatment.<\/p>\n
There had been tension across the nation as a result of the power vacuum, which led to public protests, Otedola was quoted to have said in the book.<\/p>\n
The businessman wrote, \u201cWorried by the tension and uncertainty, I decided to do something on my own. In the first week of February 2010, I went to Minna, Niger State, along with Hajia Bola Shagaya, to
\ncommiserate with General Ibrahim Babangida over the death of his wife, Maryam.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt his Hilltop residence, we spoke on a wide range of issues, but I told him I needed to discuss an urgent and vital issue. He took me to his study, where the two of us were alone. I told him that the state of
\nthe nation had been agitating my mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe replied, \u2018Femi, advise your friend that when he gets to the Council Chambers next week for the Federal Executive Council meeting, he should go and sit on the President\u2019s chair.\u2019 I found that fascinating and
\nassured him I would pass the message across.<\/p>\n
\u201cI travelled back to Abuja by road in the evening and went straight to have dinner with Dr Jonathan. I did not waste time in delivering the general\u2019s message to him. He nodded and asked me, \u2018What do you think?\u2019 I
\nlaughed and said, \u2018Be a man, Your Excellency. Go and sit on that chair!\u2019<\/p>\n
\u201cHe looked at me for some time and responded that he would think about it. A week later, on Tuesday, February 9, the National Assembly adopted the famous \u2018Doctrine of Necessity\u2019 to make Dr. Jonathan the Acting
\nPresident pending the return of President Yar\u2019Adua from his medical
\nleave.<\/p>\n
\u201cBehind-the-scene moves by prominent Nigerians preceded this decision. The legislative resolution was unprecedented, but the nation had been tensed up. The fault lines were so stoked that an unusual solution was
\nneeded to address the unique situation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Jonathan now legally empowered to act as President, there remained the critical optics: would he stand in for the President confidently and authoritatively? Or would he try to maintain a subdued outlook?<\/p>\n
\u201cThe following day was the FEC meeting. As Dr. Jonathan entered the council chamber, he was made to sit on the chair of the Vice President \u2014 his usual seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs the protocol officer pulled out the VP\u2019s chair, Dr. Jonathan marched towards the seat reserved for the President. And he sat on it!<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the moment Dr. Goodluck Jonathan took control of power. By that act, he sent a strong signal to all Nigerians that he was now in charge. The same day, Jonathan even reshuffled the cabinet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yar\u2019Adua died on May 5, 2010, and Jonathan was sworn in as president to complete Yar\u2019Adua\u2019s term. He won the 2011 presidential elections.<\/p>\n
GEJ relinquished power in 2015 when he lost the presidential election to former military head of state, Muhammadu Buhari.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nigerian Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has explained the role he played in encouraging the then Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to assume the presidency when President Umaru Yar\u2019Adua became incapacitated in 2010.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":84845,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n