‘Yar’adua struggled for emancipation of common man’

Friends and family of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua said at the weekend that he worked hard for the emancipation of the common man and development of the country. They spoke in commemoration of the fourth anniversary of his death.

Speaking to Daily Trust in Katsina, Abu Danmalam Karofi, who was Permanent Secretary and Special Adviser to Yar’adua on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said the late president had goodwill for Nigeria but his ill health did not permit him to execute his plans.

“I was with Umaru for over 40 years; we were friends and we worked together. He always struggled for the emancipation of the common man. One thing I will always appreciate about him is that he allowed me to do my work without any interference,” he said.

When asked if he believed Yar’adua would have brought about the much desired change Nigerians yearned for had he lived longer, Karofi said:”I don’t think if he had lived longer he would have brought about the change Nigerians yearned for because though he had revolutionary ideas, he was surrounded by selfish politicians who never allowed him do what he had planned for the betterment of the country.

“He would have brought about some change but not as much as he wished or as much as people expected; because besides being surrounded by the wrong persons, the party (PDP) itself and their manifesto was an issue. There was no truth in it. He had goodwill for Nigeria but Nigeria is a very difficult country. He was fair, honest and incorruptible. He also had a focus and great plans for the betterment of Nigeria. If you compare him to other governors and presidents, he is a saint,” He said.

Murtala Yar’adua, a nephew to the late president, described him as a humble person with rigid beliefs who would have transformed the country had he lived longer.

“I am one person who believes that he meant well for the country. We have seen his footprints in Katsina. We saw what he achieved as a governor and we believe that would have transpired to the national level. He was one person who was determined to move Nigeria forward. Remember his trade mark was always the ‘rule of law’. It is unfortunate that we did not see the best of him due to his ill health. I believe he would have transformed a lot of things in the country if he had lived,” he said.

When asked what the family does on the anniversary of the president’s death, Murtala Yar’adua said: “I would not say there is any special kind of celebration as such. I mean as Muslims what we do normally is to pray. As it is with life, I do not think people forget such incidents; everyone remembers a certain individual in his own way. So I won’t say there is any special prayer set aside for that purpose.”

He also spoke on preserving the family legacy. “Someone once asked me how I was filling the shoes of my late father (Shehu Musa Yar’adua) and my answer was that I don’t think my toes have even touched the heel of the shoe. One thing my late father did is that he kept the family away from politics. We are a family that a lot of people look up to so you always have to draw the line; you find that it is a very daunting task. They have served the country well, from my grandfather to my father and the late president as well. They left behind a good name, which is a great legacy in itself and we are proud of that. It is a very hard task but we will keep trying in our own way to keep the family flag flying,” he said.

Mariya Abdullahi, a former commissioner and special adviser to Yar’adua during his tenure as governor, described the late president as someone who had strong principles and faith in the common man.

She said: “He was sincere to a fault and he had strong principles and faith in the common man. He had a strong belief that no one was born to be poor as such he/she deserved to enjoy all the basic amenities in life.”

Speaking on the insecurity facing Nigeria, Mariya said Yar’adua would have managed the situation before it spiralled out of control.

“At the time he was in power, we had the Niger-Delta crisis and he was able to handle the situation. I wish he was still around to assist in the crisis we are faced with today. I believe the situation would not have escalated to this level had he been alive. There is no doubt about that,” she said.

Muttaqha Rabe Darma, former executive secretary of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF), said the late Yar’adua sacrificed himself for the country.

“He had the intention of correcting all the ills. He could sacrifice himself for you like he did for Nigeria. God took his life when he was trying to ensure Nigeria regained its lost glory. He had plans and a vision for Nigeria to become one of the greatest 20 economies in the world by the year 2020. He was a compassionate person, a great mentor, a lover of the entire society and a father to most of us,” he added.

Zubairu Aliyu Gafai, a cousin to the late president, who also worked with him during his tenure as governor, described Yar’adua as a kind and humble person who had the interest of Nigerians at heart.

He said: “Nigeria lost a great leader who had a good foresight and plans to transform the country.”