Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has spoken about the tense atmosphere he experienced in the Presidential Villa while serving as Vice President under the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Speaking during an interview with the Rainbow Book Club, Jonathan shared stories from his memoir, My Transition Hours, where he talked about the pressure and fear he faced during the uncertain period of Yar’Adua’s illness.
Jonathan noted that there were plots and talks aimed at removing him from power, especially as tensions rose across the country due to regional and religious differences.
He noted that during this time, Nigeria was deeply divided along North-South and Christian-Muslim lines, and rumors of a possible military coup became common. “Every day I was hearing about a coup,” he said, recalling the atmosphere of fear that surrounded him at the time.
Jonathan explained that while Yar’Adua was abroad receiving treatment for his failing health, some of his friends became concerned for his safety. They urged him to leave the Presidential Villa to avoid possible harm. According to him, these individuals feared that those against him might use the situation as an excuse to push him out or worse.
He said, “I remember one day, I was still Vice President, they had not even moved the Doctrine of Necessity and some of my friends came and said, ‘No, you don’t have to sleep here. You have to come and sleep in my guest house.’”
Despite these warnings, Jonathan stood his ground and refused to abandon his post at Aso Rock. He believed that running away would give power to those plotting against him.
“I said, ‘No.’ I will stay in the State House. If anybody wants to kill me, it’s better you kill me in the State House so Nigerians will know that they assassinated me in the State House. They know I have not committed any offence,” he stated.
