Umaru Musa Yar'Adua: The Only Nigerian President To Die In Power

 

Biography

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (16 August1951 - 5 May 2010) was the second Nigerian President of the current Fourth Republic, he succeded Olusegun Obasanjo, his inauguration marked the first time an elected President handed power peacefully to another in Nigerian history. Yar'Adua was born to a prominent Fulani family in Kastina State his family held considerable political and traditional power nationwide, his father, Musa Yar'Adua was a Minister for Lagos in the First Republic and held the chieftancy title of Matawalle (custodian of the royal treasury) of the Kastina Emirate, a title which was also held by his maternal grandfather which Umaru later inherited, his maternal grandmother Binta was the princess of Kastina Emirate and sister of  Emir Muhammadu Dikko. Yar'Adua studied at Ahmadu Bello University after which he taught at several colleges and polytechnics before becoming a bussines man, he first joined politics as a mobilizer for the People's Redemption Party (PRP) during the long transition to civilian rule in the late 1980s, later becoming a founding member of the Peoples' Front a political association led by his brother Gen. Shehu Musa Yar'Adua along with other prominent names such as Atiku Abubakar, Babba Gana Kingibe, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Wada Abubakar, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Abubakar Koko and Rabiu Musa Kwankaso, the association later formed the core of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

  Political Career

 In 1991 he contested for Kastina State governorship election but lost to Saidu Barda, the candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRP) and a close friend of Badasami Babbangida the then military ruler. Seven years later, Yar'Adua participated in founding the K34 political association which later merged with PDP, he contested for governorship election in Kastina winning twice in 1999 and 2003. In 2006 Obasanjo chose Yar'Adua as his successor, between 16-17th December, the primaries where held and Yar'Adua was elected PDP candidate with an overwhelming vote of 3,024 votes from party delegates, his closest rivel Rochas Okorocha had 372 votes a result which many beleived was heavily influenced by Obasanjo.Even though he had a rather hollow reputation nationally, Yar'Adua was one of the few serving governors with a spotless record, deviod of any charges of corruptions. Although Yar'Adua ran against several well-known military leaders, he won the April 2007 election with 70% of all votes, the election though was marred by widespread violence, voter intimidation and rigging, it was strongly criticized by domestic and international observers, nonetheless Yar'Adua's inaugration will be remebered in Nigeria as the first time power was succesfully transfered between two civilian presidents.

Yar'Adua faced the enormous task of continuing the work started by Olusegun Obasanjo, a goal which he hoped to acheive through his seven point agenda, a plan to eleviated Nigeria to be among the twenty largest economies in the world by 2020, the agenda include:

- Infrastructure, power and energy

- Food security

- Wealth creation

- Transport

- Land reforms

- Security

- Education

Death

 Unfortunately due to his illness the agenda could not be fufilled and it was soon forgotten while Yar'Adua was fighting for his life, he took several trips to Saudi Arabia where he recieved treatment, his absence meant the presidential seat was left empty for weeks and people were starting to question his ability to rule, on 9 February 2010, the Senate controversially used the "doctrine of necessity" to transfer presidential powers to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan until Yar'Adua returned to full health. The process was seen by many as illegal some described it as "coup without the word", others however felt the power vacuum would lead to instability and a possible military takeover. On 5 May, 2010 Yar'Adua died at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, an Islamic burial was held on 6 May in his hometown of Kastina. 

The Federal Government held a seven day mourning period, acting President Jonathan said "Nigeria has lost the jewel on it's crown and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight. As individuals and as a nation we prayed for the revovery of Mr President. But we take solace in the fact that the Almighty is the giver and taker of life". US President Barrack Obama passed his condolonces saying "He was committed to creating lasting peace and prosperity within Nigeria's own borders, and continuing that work will be an important part of honoring his legacy". The worked though was not completed and Yar'Adua's seven point agenda got lost with time leaving the Nigerian economy currently in shambles.