Power Seat Drama: Otedola Reveals How Jonathan Sat Where Yar’Adua Once Ruled

In November 2009, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan reportedly refused to assume presidential powers after then-President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua departed for medical treatment without officially transferring authority.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This reluctance triggered a months-long leadership vacuum, sparking public fears that Nigeria was drifting dangerously and vulnerable to a possible military intervention.

The impasse lasted until February 9, 2010, when the National Assembly invoked the Doctrine of Necessity to formally declare Jonathan Acting President.

The following day, Nigerians were stunned when Jonathan, for the first time, took Yar’Adua’s seat during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in the Council Chambers. Until then, despite Yar’Adua’s prolonged absence, Jonathan had always presided from the vice president’s chair.

Billionaire businessman and Jonathan’s close friend, Femi Otedola, had previously hinted at the events leading to this turning point. In his upcoming memoir, Making It Big: Lessons from A Life in Business, set for release on Monday, August 18, 2025, Otedola offers the full inside story of the tense political maneuvers that ultimately led Jonathan to make the bold move.

According to Otedola:

“Jonathan refrained from exercising presidential powers because his lawyers warned him it could be deemed an impeachable offence. The country was hanging by a thread.

Concerned by the escalating tension, I decided to intervene. In early February 2010, I travelled with businesswoman Hajia Bola Shagaya to Minna, Niger State, to condole with General Ibrahim Babangida over the passing of his wife, Maryam. At his hilltop residence, we spoke privately, and I expressed my anxiety over the national situation.

‘Your Excellency,’ I asked, ‘how can we break this deadlock? The political heat is too much.’

Calmly, Babangida replied, ‘Femi, tell your friend that when he attends the Federal Executive Council meeting next week, he should go and sit on Yar’Adua’s chair.’ He was referring to Jonathan. I assured him I would deliver the message. That evening in Abuja, during dinner with Dr Jonathan, I wasted no time passing on Babangida’s advice.”