In Memory of Late General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua

By

Mohammed Habib

goodhabib@yahoo.co.uk

As the nation commemorates the 9th & 10th Year Remembrance of one of the Nigeria’s political icons, the Tafidan Katsina, a one time Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters in the late 70s, a one time presidential aspirant in the IBB’s botched transition programmes, and indeed the political bridge-builder of Nigeria’s contemporary politics in the person of Late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, I wish to join all well meaning Nigerians in paying him a special tribute.

 
In so doing, I am tempted to reproduce a particular letter the late political juggernaut wrote to Former President Olusegun Obasanjo from his Abakiliki prison where he was solitarily confined by the late Abacha junta. In the said letter, which Chief Obasanjo as a prisoner received in Yola prison, the Tafida had this to say:
 
I am sure you know that Nigeria will always be at the forefront of my thoughts. You need not fear about my continued commitment to the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians. My present worries and prayers are that the present junta do not so devastate the country that it becomes impossible to rehabilitate. We will continue to pray.
 
Interestingly, though the era of Military regime had become an aberration in the lexicon of Nigerian Politics, indications from 1999-2007 showed that the hang-over of Military Rule was not yet over under the immediate past of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo. It was an era of impunity where abuse of due process, disregard to the rule of law, political strangulation of presumed opponents, selective injustice, monumental corruption and blind loyalty were the order of the day.
 
However, as he rightly wrote to his friend, Former United States’ President Jimmy Carter in 1997:
 
My incarceration and ordeal in the hands of General Abatcha is a sacrifice some of us must make for our country to be free...
 
That sacrifice has been vindicated through former President Olusegun Obasanjo who against all odds influenced the emergence of his younger brother, Mallam Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Obasanjo not only ensured his emergence as the Presidential flag-bearer of the most gigantic Political Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, but also saw to his being elected through do or die scenario as  the President of the most populous black nation in the globe (Nigeria) against two of his own too. General Muhammadu Buhari, a childhood friend of his and Atiku Abubakar (Turakin Adamawa) who was Tafida’s avowed and unrepentant ally. They all contested for the coveted office in their burning desires to rule Nigeria but gallantly got defeated.
 
The junta referred to then was the Military Institution headed by the late maximum ruler General Sani Abacha and surrounded by characters like the Mantus, Jerry Ganas, Ojo Maduekwes, Anenihs to mention but a few. Ironically, these pseudo-politicians who wined and dined with the government that inflicted psychological injury to him were before now wining and dining under the canopy of Tafida’s impeccable philosophy.
 
If the General were alive today, one would have advised him to re-write these uniquely enriched letters that paradoxically encapsulate the typical character of Nigerian leaders of today worst than the dreaded military era he thus fought to a stand-still through his awesome, prim, and indefatigable allies like the Turakin Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar (Nigeria’s Former  Vice President), Ambassador B.G Kingibe, Yomi Edu, Muhammadu Koiranga Jada, Sani Zangon Daura, Professor Ango Abdullahi, Dapo Sarumi and others. No wonder that the democrats of today use the     Yar’adua Centre, a Centre founded in his memory to propagate the philosophy, ideals and principles which he laboured, nurtured, believed and died for.
 
While even in death, I salute his political sagacity and dynamic leadership provided in the political development of Nigeria unequalled as far as contemporary politics of Nigeria is concerned. I wish to use this medium to appeal to the political leadership of our country to sheath their swords and support the leadership of Malam Umaru Musa Yar’adua  (Mutawalin Katsina) as he takes Nigeria to the Promised Land via his 7-Point Agenda by the special grace of Almighty God.  
 
I believe that with the giant strides recorded by Mr. President so far in steering the affairs of the country, no amount of economic sabotage, societal brigandage or political hara-kiri would impede him in realizing his dream of making Nigeria to be among the best 20 economically buoyant countries in the World by the year 2020.
 
Finally, as President Umaru Musa Yar’adua is reaping from the fruits of his late brother’s labour which he sowed after many years of give and take, may the gentle soul of Tafida continue to live in perfect peace where we all shall meet to part no more.
 
 
 
MOHAMMED HABIB