‘Yar’Adua never liked politics,’ -Turai

Hajiya Turai, a former first lady of Nigeria, claimed that her late husband, Umaru Yar’Adua, never desired nor was anxious for the office of president.

She continued by saying that her late husband had little interest in politics and that he only ended up as president by chance.

From 2007 until 2010, the late Yar’Adua presided over Nigeria. On May 29, 2007, he took the oath of office after being declared the victor of the April 21, 2007, presidential election. On May 5, 2010, he passed away.

This was said by Turai on Saturday, the 13th anniversary of her husband’s passing, while speaking to the BBC Hausa Service.

She said, “His life ambition was to be a teacher, come home from school, sit with his family and crack jokes till another day. He never wanted politics or governance but as Allah willed, he joined politics and became President.

“Although he was a President, at that time, his lifestyle hadn’t changed. He never borrowed expensive life and remained simple and an easygoing person.”

Turai, who also spoke on how much she has missed him said, “I think about Yar’Adua every day, anniversary or no anniversary. I think about him and miss him every single day.

“But I am happy on such anniversary days because the country talks about him, and people across the country come together to say good things about him and pray for him. That truly gladdens my heart.”

She recounted the day the late President died saying, “I held his hands and told him I was stepping out for iftar and he nodded. A few minutes later, I was called back and I met him dead.

“I regretted that day. I blamed myself for going to iftar. I still think I should have stayed. But I thank the Almighty Allah for honouring me with Yar’Adua as a husband. It is the biggest privilege of my life and I am forever grateful to have spent a reasonable part of my life with him,” she said.