The Presidency and former Vice-President
Atiku Abubakar have paid tributes to the late Nigerian soldier and
politician, Umar Musa Yar’ Adua.
When Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was military
head of state from 1976 until 1979, Yar’ Adua was his deputy. He was
also the elder brother of former President Umaru Yar’Adua.
The Presidency, through the Special
Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on New Media, Reno Omokri,
wrote on Twitter that the elder Yar’Adua was “in similar mould” with te
late anti-apartheid leader, Nelson Mandela.
“As we mourn Nelson Mandela, let us spare
a prayer for the memory of a man in similar mould, Shehu Musa Yar’adua,
who died 16 years ago today,” the Presidency wrote.
Also, Atiku described him as his mentor and hero of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Tafida (Yar’Adua) gave his life for the
cause of democracy. He taught me to fight for Nigeria, even if I had to
go alone. He was my personal hero.
“I remember when I was under great
pressure to support constitutional changes to elongate our tenure.
Tafida’s words gave me courage to fight. My unwavering belief in
democracy and one Nigeria was strengthened by the time I spent working
with Shehu Musa Yar’Adua,” Atiku wrote on Twitter
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