Yar’Adua: How I was advised to vacate Aso Rock over fear of military coup – Jonathan
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan has shared how he faced intense tension in the Presidential Villa during his time as Vice President under President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, whose health was deteriorating at the time.
In an interview with the Rainbow Book Club about his memoir, My Transition Hours, Jonathan revealed there were conspiracies aimed at removing him from the Villa to stop the South from succeeding Yar’Adua. He described the period as one of deep national tension driven by “North-South, Christian-Muslim divide,” and said, “Every day I was hearing about a coup.”
Jonathan recounted that while Yar’Adua was away for medical treatment, some friends advised him to leave the Villa and stay elsewhere for his safety. However, he refused.
> “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 they assassinated me there. They know I have not committed any offence,’” Jonathan explained.
Despite the threats and fear of a possible military coup, Jonathan chose to remain in the Presidential Villa.
