Goodluck Jonathan said late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua “stood out” among Nigerian presidents in a glowing tribute to mark the tenth anniversary of his demise

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Tuesday, wrote a glowing tribute to mark the tenth anniversary since the demise of his boss and former President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua.

Jonathan, who was vice president to Yar’Adua from May 2007 to May 2010, said the late President left enduring legacies for Nigeria’s democracy.

“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,” the post reads.

His post reads in parts, “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.”

Jonathan continued, ” 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.”

He added that 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.

He concluded, that 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”.

Yar’Adua, a two-term governor of Katsina State, died in office as President, three years after he was elected in 2007.

Upon his demise, Jonathan, who was then his deputy, was sworn in as President in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Jonathan later won the 2011 Presidential election and returned to office.

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