The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki have paid heartfelt tributes to the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, marking 15 years since his passing. Both the PDP and Saraki lauded Yar’Adua’s integrity, leadership, and dedication to national unity.
In a message shared on X, the PDP, the party under which Yar’Adua served as president from 2007 until his death in 2010, honored him as “a leader of integrity, humility, and vision.” The statement reflected on Yar’Adua’s quiet wisdom, recalling his leadership style, which was marked by conviction rather than chaos.
Saraki also paid tribute to the late president, describing him as one of Nigeria’s most honorable leaders. He highlighted Yar’Adua’s quiet, purposeful communication and emphasized that true leadership is about duty, humility, and justice, rather than power. Saraki prayed for the president’s soul, asking for a place among the righteous in Al Jannah Firdaus.
The PDP also acknowledged Yar’Adua’s impactful legacy, particularly his reforms in electoral transparency and efforts to resolve conflicts in the Niger Delta. His calm strength and belief in peace and unity left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s governance, transcending party lines.
“His leadership style, marked by integrity and vision, will always be remembered,” the party wrote. “May his gentle soul rest in peace, and may his values continue to guide us toward ethical governance.”
Yar’Adua, born on August 16, 1951, passed away on May 5, 2010, after a long illness. His death led to the ascension of then-Vice President Goodluck Jonathan. Yar’Adua’s legacy continues to inspire, as he is remembered not only as a president but also as the younger brother of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, a key figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement.
This year’s remembrance comes shortly after the loss of the Yar’Adua family matriarch, Hajia Aya Dada Yar’Adua, who passed away in September 2024 at the age of 102.