Nigerians on Twitter are celebrating the memory of the country’s former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died in office thirteen (13) years ago today.
Yar-Adua who died on May 5th, 2010 from pericarditis – inflammation of a membrane around the heart, was revered as by far the best leader of Africa’s most populous nation since the return to multi-party democracy in 1999.
A one-time Katsina State governor, Yar’Adua was the second civilian president under Nigeria’s current constitution.
He won the 2007 presidential election, a controversial poll, he described as not being free and fair.
Then-president, Olusegun Obasanjo picked him to fly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)‘s flag at the polls after the former’s plan to extend his stay from 1999 – 2007 got stiff opposition from the then-ruling PDP.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua took office in 2007 and led for 3 years. He died aged 58 on May 5th, 2010.
His then vice-president, Goodluck Jonathan succeeded him.
Jonathan completed Yar’Adua’s term and won a substantive term in 2011. He however, failed to secure a final term in 2015 after he was defeated by incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Taking to their various Twitter handles, some Nigerians extolled the virtues of the late president, arguing that he was the best leader the country had.
They prayed to God to continue to rest his soul and forgive his shortcomings.
Below are some of their reactions:
“The late President Yar’Adua intended to fight corruption by removing all immunity from himself and all other public officials before he passed on.
May his soul rest in peace.”
The late President Yar'Adua intended to fight corruption by removing all immunity from himself and all other public officials before he passed on
May his soul rest in peace.
INEC| Sokoto| Maiduguri| Oregon| Ageless| Obidiots| Sokoto| After 33| Sabinus| Yetunde| Obasanjo pic.twitter.com/wbLsQNyE1X
— Alákòwé (@alakowee) May 5, 2023
“Chaiii….the president Nigeria would have had. Rest on sir.”
Chaiii….the president Nigeria would have had. Rest on sir
— JESUSisLORD! (@MicMekShoes) May 5, 2023
“We really missed this man. The best President Nigeria never enjoyed. Continue to Rest in Peace, Great man.”
We really missed this man.
The best President Nigeria never enjoyed.
Continue to Rest in Peace, Great man.
— TC (@Timbre_Calibre) May 5, 2023
“If this man is alive, Nigeria would be better than this. Rest in peace legend.”
If this man is alive, Nigeria would be better than this. Rest in peace legend
— MercyTee (@Mercy_tee) May 5, 2023
“No wonder he was eliminated untimely, the wickedness in government so deep.”
No wonder he was eliminated untimely, the wickedness in government so deep.
— Abiodun Moses (@abiodun08124051) May 5, 2023
“16 August 1951 – 5 May 2010, The song is ended but the melody lingers on. Rest in peace Baba. ❤️❤️❤️”
16 August 1951 – 5 May 2010 , The song is ended but the melody lingers on. Rest in peace Baba. ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/dgbg5D5iTm
— Musa Umaru Yar'adua (@Mosey) May 5, 2023
“He was truly a good man
May the Almighty forgive him of his shortcomings.”
He was truly a good man
May the Almighty forgive him of his shortcomings
— Minaopuye 🧡 (@Twinkle_aunt) May 5, 2023
“May ALLAH Forgive him.
He would av be our best president Ever. Janat Fridaus ins’ha ALLAH 🙏.”
May ALLAH Forgive him.
He would av be our best president Ever.
Janat Fridaus ins'ha ALLAH 🙏
— Omonla Sikirullahi (@Sikirullahi19) May 5, 2023
“Nigeria was united under President Umaru Musa Yar’adu’A who was also a Fulani because he represented all Nigerians. 13yrs without him today! Continue to rest in peace Sir 🙏.”
Nigeria was united under President Umaru Musa Yar'adu'A who was also a Fulani because he represented all Nigerians.
13yrs without him today! Continue to rest in peace Sir 🙏 pic.twitter.com/GSzwFWj8Jp
— Abdul-Aziz Na'ibi Abubakar (@jrnaib2) May 5, 2023
“May his soul rest in peace. We missed you our most respected President.”
May his soul rest in peace. We missed you our most respected President.
— kebangsimon (@kebangsimon) May 5, 2023
“The best president in Nigeria’s history we miss him a lot, my tears can’t stop dropping.”
The best president in Nigeria history we miss him alot, my tears can't stop dropping
— ChessuBoi1 (@DanielTukura1) May 5, 2023
“Since then We’re struggling with leaders with no vision no missions kashe muraba everywhere, RIP YAR’ADUA”
https://twitter.com/Bellon_koko/status/1654397180491313154?t=ZafbK1x56XUfkLi5lyCjxw&s=19
In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that an Azman Airplane has arrived at Aswan airport, Egypt to evacuate Nigerians fleeing the war-torn Sudan.
The airplane, which arrived in Egypt on Thursday, is among the airplanes that were approved by the Nigerian government to evacuate stranded Nigerians.
