The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) said Thursday that Nigerians will continue to miss the late president. Umaru Yar’Adua as “a leader with a heart for the people” as envisioned by the founding fathers of the party.
The party affirmed this in a statement from its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in Abuja.
He said that the PDP fondly remembered Mr. Yar’Adua (president from 2007 to 2010), who gave everything and died in the service of the motherland.
Ologunagba described the late Yar’Adua as a beloved leader and exceptionally courageous statesman, humble, honest, forthright and trustworthy.
He said that Mr. Yar’Adua’s legacies in stabilizing the nation, particularly instilling the rule of law, equity and peaceful coexistence in line with the PDP manifesto, were unparalleled.
“He was a tireless advocate for the rule of law, dignifying the Office of the President of Nigeria by swiftly executing Court Orders in accordance with his Oath of Office, even when such Orders are not in his or his Party’s interest.
“Yar’Adua was a detribalized Nigerian, an angel of peace who manifestly loved Nigerians regardless of ethnic, religious, class or political considerations and placed the peace, unity and well-being of the people above all other interests .
“Despite his personal challenges, President Yar’Adua stood firm for truth, justice and fairness and laid a solid foundation for electoral reforms and credible elections in Nigeria.”
Mr. Ologunagba said that the declared commitment to the unity and peaceful coexistence of the nation was legendary through his Amnesty Program.
He said the program brought relative peace to the country’s then troubled Niger Delta region and set the nation on the path to social and economic sustainability.
He said that the PDP, in remembering the late Mr. Yar’Adua, urges Nigerians to insist on the rule of law and credible elections in the country.
He said that should be done by actively participating in the ongoing electoral process and voting en masse in the 2023 general election.
“Our Party salutes the widow of the late President Yar’Adua and the entire Yar’Adua family for their courage and steadfastness in upholding the virtues, values and legacies of the late President.”
The late President Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010.
(YAYA).