Jonathan Alleges Obstruction by Yar’Adua’s Aide Despite Legislative Backing

Recalling how an aide to his late principal and former president, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, prevented him from managing Nigeria’s affairs, former President Goodluck Jonathan recalled the incident.
In an interview with the Rainbow Book Club on his biography “My Transition Hours,” Jonathan reportedly stated that Yar’Adua desired to transfer the nation’s affairs to him while he was ill and away, but a presidential assistant declined to deliver the letter to the National Assembly.
Jonathan said that the late Yar’Adua had sent the letter while on a medical trip, but he did not disclose the identity of the presidential assistant.

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According to Goodluck Jonathan, the nation lacked a president despite Yar’Adua’s serious condition, and there was no acting president available for the vice president to assume the role.
He said that the president, Yar’Adua, was a Muslim from the north. He succeeded Obasanjo, an eight-year reigning Christian from the south. Thus, the Muslims in the north undoubtedly intended Yar’Adua to stay in the north for at least eight years before he could return and replace him with another, most likely a Christian.

The trouble, however, was the health concern that arose. That’s why it was problematic to even let me act. Indeed, a letter was written when Yar’Adua was travelling for the medical examination. According to the Constitution, in order for the Vice President to take action, the President must notify the Senate and the House of Representatives in writing.

The person to whom the letter was delivered—I won’t name them yet—was one of Yar’Adua’s aides, but they refused to deliver it to the National Assembly.

“Yar’Adua got so sick that he couldn’t handle anything.” Thus, we had a nation without an acting president and a president who was unavailable. Yes, you are able to assume part of the president’s duties as vice president.

As the country’s chief executive, the president of Nigeria has two main duties, similar to those of the prime minister. It can be assumed by the vice president that no transfers are required. We were approving ministerial memos during Executive Council sessions, so I was doing that. The government continued to function, but the Commander-in-Chief was absent.