OTEDOLA: HOW IBB ASKED JONATHAN TO SIT ON YAR ADUA'S CHAIR

Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has applauded former military president, General Ibrahim Babanida, for the role he played during the political logjam caused by the prolonged sickness of President Umaru Yar Adua in 2010.

Felicitating with the former military president, also known as IBB, who marks his 80th birthday last Tuesday, Otedola, in his forthcoming book on business lessons, scheduled for release in November, revealed how IBB sent him to tell then former vice president, Goodluck Jonathan, to sit on the empty seat of then president in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

With Yar'Adua failing to formally transfer power to his deputy when he was flown abroad for medical treatment, there was tension across the nation as a result of the power vacuum, which led to public protests.

Writing on the need for entrepreneurs to engage with political authorities in one of the chapters, Otedola maintains that such a relationship will benefit the country.

"Entrepreneurs' outreach and dialogue which political leaders, among many positives, will ensure stability and social coherence guaranteeing economic progress."

"Worried by the tension and uncertainty, I decided to do something on my own," he wrote.

"In the first week of February 2010, I went to Minna, Niger State, along with Hajia Bola Shagaya, to commiserate with General Babangida over the death of his wife, Maryam.

"At his Hill top residence, we spoke on a wide range of issues but I told him I needed to discuss an urgent and vital issue. He took me to his study, where the two of us were alone I told him the state of the nation had been agitating my mind."

"I asked Babangida how can we get out of this logjam that the political heat is too much."

"Calm and resolute, IBB replied: Femi, advise your friend that when he gets to the council chambers next week for the FEC meeting, he should go and sit on the president's chair." I found that fascinating and assured him I would pass the message across I travelled back to Abuja by road in the evening and went straight to have dinner with Jonathan.