Thirteen years since his passing, Nigerians led by former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday took to their various social media platforms to pay tributes to Late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.
The late Yar’adua died on 5 May 2010 following a battle with an undisclosed illness at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock, Abuja.
The two term former governor of Katsina state served as the president of Nigeria between 29 May 2007 to 5 May 2010.
His Vice and successor, Goodluck Jonathan in a tweet, described his former boss as a “great and selfless leader.”
Similarly, former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, noted that the late former president was a devoted leader and champion of democracy..
On his own part, former Senate president, Bukola Saraki described him as “a dear friend”.
Born on 16 August, 1951 to former minister of Lagos, Musa Yar’adua, he was the brother to late Shehu Musa Yar’adua and became the 2nd president in Nigeria to died in office.
After becoming Nigeria President, Yar’adua on 28 June 2007, publicly revealed his declaration of assets from May (becoming the first Nigerian president to do so).
Yar’Adua left for Saudi Arabia to receive treatment for pericarditis. He later returned on 24 February 2010, under the cover of darkness. His state of health was under cover, but there was speculation that he was still on a life support machine.
He eventually died on 5 May, 2010 at the age of 58.
