Many Nigerians called for Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to step into Yar'Adua's shoes, but the situation was complex: As a southerner, Jonathan's assumption of the Presidency would threaten to destabilize the delicate power-sharing arrangement between Northern and Southern Nigeria. 
Wanaijeria wengi walitoa wito kwa Makamu wa rais Goodluck Jonathan kuvaa viatu vya Yar’Adua, lakini hali ilikuwa tata: Kama mtu anayetoka Kusini, kukaimu madaraka ya Urais kwa Jonathan kungehatarisha kudhoofishwa kwa mpango wa kuachiana madaraka kati ya maeneo ya Kaskazini na Kusini mwa Naijera.