Again Buhari Silent As Eminent Nigerians Laud Yar`Adua’s Virtues

Muhammadu Buhari was quiet on the ninth anniversary of the death of Umaru Musa Yar`Adua on Sunday as Goodluck Jonathan and Atiku Abubakar among other prominent Nigerians honoured the memory of the second president of the Fourth Republic.

Buhari, who is from the same Katsina State as Yar`Adua has been notably silent in recognizing the memory of the late president who died in office on May 5, 2010.

Last year on the eight anniversary of the death of Yar`Adua, Reno Omokiri, who worked in the Jonathan administration had blasted Buhari for failing to recognize the memory of President Yar`Adua.

“Umaru Yar’adua was from Katsina state, like Buhari, yet not once since he became President has Buhari remembered or honoured him either with a statement or tribute. Just because Yar’adua defeated him in 2007,” Omokiri had tweeted last year.

Among those who have lauded Yar`Adua’s contribution to democracy this year were his successor, Jonathan and Atiku who he, Yar`Adua defeated in the 2007 election like Buhari.

Jonathan in his message said: “On this day (May 5th) nine years ago, I lost a friend, colleague, brother, and boss, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. He was a selfless leader who placed national interest above personal and ethnic gains.

“President Yar’Adua was a man of integrity with a  humble spirit who always took upon himself the burden of national reconciliation, peace-building, and democratic consolidation.

“He used the opportunity he had in public service to build bridges of love, foster unity and give hope to Nigerians.

“Today (Sunday), I remember and celebrate him for the works that he had done. Peace he lived for and homes of peace he built. Democracy he loved and democracy he nurtured. We will always remember you for your service. A servant leader truly you remain.”

Atiku on his part said:

 “On May 5, 2010, Nigeria lost a man of peace and a leader with a vision in the person of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

“The late President Yar’ Adua was a man I was closely connected to. First, because his late brother, the great Tafida of Katsina, Shehu Musa Yar’adua, was my political mentor who taught both myself and Umaru, the ropes in politics.

“Obviously, with Umaru, the apple did not fall far from the tree. And secondly, because we worked very, very closely when he was the Executive Governor of Katsina state at the time I was Vice President to our leader, President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“In this period where Nigeria is facing almost unprecedented violence and insecurity, the world will remember that it was President Yar’adua who bequeathed peace to the Niger Delta through his futuristic and visionary amnesty and rehabilitation programme that saw militants turn their swords to ploughshares.

“That single action saw an unprecedented improvement in the performance of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry which led to record-breaking 5% GDP growth.

“Beyond that, Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua was an advocate and proponent of the Rule of Law and the doctrine of Separation of Powers. His was the only administration that did not suffer from Executive-Legislative tensions in this Fourth Republic.

Senate President Bukola Saraki also took to twitter to laud Yar`Adua saying:

“Today, I remember the selfless statesman, former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, who passed on 9-years ago. His legacy of integrity as a great leader will always remain indelible in our hearts. May the mercy of Almighty Allah (SWT) continue to be upon him. Amin.”

Senator Shehu Sani in a tweet also wrote:

“President Umaru Musa Yar’adua died on this day nine years ago.  He was a honest man, a true democrat, respecter of the rule of law and a humble visionary. May Allah forgive his soul and grant him Aljanna Firdausi. Amin.”

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