It is just like yesterday, but it’s already 20 years since his death. General Shehu Musa Yar’adua was a pan-African and great nationalist. He was a true Nigerian who did not care about people’s colour, tribe and religion.
He added colour to the democratic struggle in the country, enthroning enduring principles in the process. General Yar’adua singlehandedly nurtured the Third Republic. He established a very vast political network across the country.
To further entrench democratic principles in the country, he formed the Peoples Front (PF), a political group that later metamorphosed into the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the reign of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.
As a result of his political sagacity, eminent politicians across the country, such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mrs Titi Ajanaku, the late Dr.Chuba Okadigbo and many others, became his disciples of sorts.
He built the SDP into a formidable political platform that shook the foundation of the country. Following his footsteps, other political parties were built.
Yar’adua believed in the power of the opposition to check the excesses of the ruling party. He created an enabling environment for politicians to operate without hindrance. He was a grassroots politician.
In recognition of his achievements, the Federal Government should further immortalise him by naming the legislative study centre of the National Assembly after him.
His political ideals are still a reference point in Nigerian democracy.
May Allah bless him with Aljanna. Amen.
Usman Santuraki wrote from Santuraki Close, Jambutu, Jimeta-Yola
