Former President Goodluck Jonathan says late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, his predecessor, was a leader like no other.
The late Yar’Adua and Jonathan were both elected as president and vice-president respectively in 2007.
But Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, and Jonathan succeeded him.
In a tribute, Jonathan said the deceased left enduring legacies in his devotion to democracy and would be remembered as one who stood on the side of the people.
“It has been a decade since His Excellency President Umar Musa Yar’Adua was snatched by the cold hands of death. On this day, every year, his image fills our consciousness as a mark of his selflessness, typical modesty and exceptional flair,” he wrote on Twitter.
“He was a President like no other who lived and died for the sake of his country. He stood on the side of the people, toiling day and night to make their lives better.
“President Yar’Adua built strong bridges of hope, love and understanding for which he became a force for national unity and positive change across our blessed land.
“In many ways he stood out. He had an accommodating spirit and enormous goodwill that secreted a web around our national fault lines to strengthen the bond; thus leaving for his successors the task of reinforcing the band.
“President Yar’Adua no doubt left enduring legacies in his wholehearted devotion to the ideals of democracy, respect for peoples’ rights, freedoms and reason for living as well as commitment to the rule of law and laws of equity and justice.
“I will continue to remember President Yar’Adua as a colleague and boss who became my brother and friend.”
On his part, Atiku Abubakar, former vice president, said Nigerians will never forget the late Yar’Adua’s “undisputable achievements”.
“Ten years gone, yet the outstanding leadership & decision-making acumen of late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua remains evergreen,” Atiku tweeted.