Yar’Adua — 10 years after death 'A president like no other’ — Jonathan, Atiku, Ibori eulogise

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his predecessor, was a leader like no other.

The late Yar’Adua and Jonathan were both elected as president and vice-president respectively in 2007.

But Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, and Jonathan succeeded him.

In a tribute, Jonathan said the deceased left enduring legacies in his devotion to democracy and would be remembered as one who stood on the side of the people.

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“It has been a decade since His Excellency President Umar Musa Yar’Adua was snatched by the cold hands of death. On this day, every year, his image fills our consciousness as a mark of his selflessness, typical modesty and exceptional flair,” he wrote on Twitter.

“He was a President like no other who lived and died for the sake of his country. He stood on the side of the people, toiling day and night to make their lives better.

“President Yar’Adua built strong bridges of hope, love and understanding for which he became a force for national unity and positive change across our blessed land.

“In many ways he stood out. He had an accommodating spirit and enormous goodwill that secreted a web around our national fault lines to strengthen the bond; thus leaving for his successors the task of reinforcing the band.

“President Yar’Adua no doubt left enduring legacies in his wholehearted devotion to the ideals of democracy, respect for peoples’ rights, freedoms and reason for living as well as commitment to the rule of law and laws of equity and justice.

“I will continue to remember President Yar’Adua as a colleague and boss who became my brother and friend.

It has been a decade since His Excellency President Umar Musa Yar'Adua was snatched by the cold hands of death. On this day, every year, his image fills our consciousness as a mark of his selflessness, typical modesty and exceptional flair.

— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) May 5, 2020

He was a President like no other who lived and died for the sake of his country. He stood on the side of the people, toiling day and night to make their lives better.

— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) May 5, 2020

President Yar'Adua built strong bridges of hope, love and understanding for which he became a force for national unity and positive change across our blessed land.

— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) May 5, 2020

In many ways he stood out. He had an accommodating spirit and enormous goodwill that secreted a web around our national fault lines to strengthen the bond; thus leaving for his successors the task of reinforcing the band.

— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) May 5, 2020

I will continue to remember President Yar'Adua as a colleague and boss who became my brother and friend.
GEJ

— Goodluck E. Jonathan (@GEJonathan) May 5, 2020

On his part, Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, said Nigerians will never forget the late Yar’Adua’s “undisputable achievements”.

“Ten years gone, yet the outstanding leadership & decision-making acumen of late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua remains evergreen,” Atiku tweeted.

“Nigerians will not forget his undisputable achievements, pro-masses policies & positive stance towards the rule of law. He is greatly missed.”

Ten years gone, yet the outstanding leadership & decision making acumen of late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua remains evergreen. Nigerians will not forget his undisputable achievements, pro-masses policies & positive stance towards the rule of law. He is greatly missed.-AA

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) May 5, 2020

Bukola Saraki, ex-senate president, described him as a man who “desired a Nigeria we can be proud of”.

“10 years after President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s passing, we are constantly reminded about his humanity, his dedication to duty and his desire for a Nigeria we can all be proud of. May Allah (SWT) forgive his sins and continue to retain for him a place in Aljannah Firdaus,” he tweeted.

10 years after President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua's passing, we are constantly reminded about his humanity, his dedication to duty and his desire for a Nigeria we can all be proud of.

May Allah (SWT) forgive his sins and continue to retain for him a place in Aljannah Firdaus.

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) May 5, 2020

James Ibori, former governor of Delta state, said the late Yar’Adua will always be remembered as an “agent of peace”.

“We remember you today … as an agent of change. You constituted a Government of National Unity. You gave the opposition a sense of belonging and the latitude to vent,” Ibori said in a statement.

“You cherished the independence the Constitution guaranteed the other Arms of Government. You were wholeheartedly committed to electoral reforms.

“You exhibited, in the exercise of power, the knowledge that it flows from the electorate and must not be used recklessly.

“You granted amnesty to the Militants in the Niger Delta region. You strengthened our hands to negotiate peace.

“We will forever remember you in the Niger Delta.”