Former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has recounted his experience with late former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died 11 years ago.
Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, after battling an illness, leaving Jonathan, the then vice-president to take the seat of power.
In a series of tweets on Wednesday, Jonathan described Yar’Adua as a friend and brother who shared a common vision of a peaceful and united Nigeria.
He said the late President will always be remembered as a peacemaker and nation builder.
“Today, I celebrate my boss, friend, colleague, and brother, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who departed this world 11 years ago.
“As politicians, we shared a common vision of a peaceful, united, and just nation.
“President Yar’Adua kept faith with this vision, channelling his strength and time in pursuit of an egalitarian society, until his last breath.
“Although out of our sight, his legacies live with us and his memory we will continue to cherish.
“We will always remember him as a peacemaker, nation builder, and democrat whose timeline was defined by virtues of service, peace, truth, and love,” Jonathan wrote.
Recall that Jonathan was Yar’Adua’s running mate in the 2007 presidential election which they won.
On May 29, 2007, Yar’Adua was sworn in as Nigeria’s president but he didn’t live to the end of his tenure as he died on May 5, 2010.
Jonathan then stepped into the shoes of his principal and became Nigeria’s President.
In 2011, Jonathan won the presidential election and remained Nigeria’s President till May 29, 2015.
Also, former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar shared on his Twitter page “Eleven years in remembrance of our late President Umaru Yar’Adua—a patriot and compassionate leader. May your memory continue to be a blessing.”
The immediate past Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki, penned down a tribute to the late president: “On this day 11-years ago, Nigeria lost a selfless, patriotic and committed leader — and I lost a great friend. As we remember President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua today, we celebrate his legacy of integrity and pray that the mercy of Almighty Allah (SWT) continues to be upon him. Amin.”
