How I told GEJ to take over power before “doctrine of necessity” was invoked in 2010 – Otedola
by Peregba Jerry
Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, in his forthcoming book scheduled for release in November, has described the role he played in encouraging then Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to assume the presidency when then President Umaru Yar’Adua became incapacitated.
Otedola said that his action was predicated on the advice of an ex-maximum ruler who had told him to encourage Jonathan to occupy Yar’Adua’s empty seat in the next Federal Executive Council meeting, as reported by the Channels TV, quoting the yet-to-be-released book.
With Yar’Adua failing to formally transfer power to his VP when he was flown abroad for medical treatment, there was 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.
“Worried 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 commiserate with General Ibrahim Babangida over the death of his wife, Maryam.
“At 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 the nation had been agitating my mind.
“He replied, ‘Femi, 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’s chair.’ I found that fascinating and assured him I would pass the message across.
“I 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’s message to him.
“He nodded and asked me, ‘What do you think?’
“I laughed and said, ‘Be a man, Your Excellency. Go and sit on that chair!’
“He 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 ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ to make Dr. Jonathan the Acting President pending the return of President Yar’Adua from his medical leave.
“Behind-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 needed to address the unique situation.
“With 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?
“The 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 — his usual seat.
“As the protocol officer pulled out the VP’s chair, Dr. Jonathan marched towards the seat reserved for the President. And he sat on it!
“That 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.”
Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, and Jonathan was sworn in as president to complete Yar’Adua’s term. He won the 2011 presidential elections.
GEJ relinquished power in 2015 when he lost the presidential election to former military head of state Major General Muhammadu Buhari.
