Former President Goodluck Jonathan has disclosed that during the constitutional crisis triggered by President Umaru Yar’Adua’s illness, he refused to leave the presidential villa—even when advised that his life could be in danger.

In a conversation with the Rainbow Book Club, Jonathan explained that although Yar’Adua had written a letter to officially hand over power, someone close to the late president kept it from reaching the National Assembly. This created confusion and left the country in a leadership limbo, as Jonathan could not legally act as president.

He described the atmosphere at the time as deeply divided and unstable, with growing concerns of a military coup and rising religious and regional tensions.

Jonathan said some associates encouraged him to leave the villa and stay elsewhere for safety. But he stood his ground, saying he preferred to remain in the State House—even if it meant risking death—so that Nigerians would know he had nothing to hide.

“If I was killed there, at least the truth would be clear,” he said.

It wasn’t until February 2010 that the National Assembly stepped in, invoking the “doctrine of necessity” to empower Jonathan as acting president. He later assumed full leadership after Yar’Adua passed away in May.

Jonathan said the experience was one of the most difficult and defining moments in Nigeria’s democratic journey.