May 5 2010
Yar’Adua dies at 58
Yusuf Alli:
THE President is dead.
News of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s death spread like wildfire last night after he passed on at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The death ended a six-month battle with acute pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart).
Yar’Adua’s remains will be buried today in Katsina at 2p.m. He became the fifth Nigerian leader to die in office. Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi and Gen Murtala Muhammed and Alhaji Tafawa Balewa were assassinated, Gen Sani Abacha and Yar’Adua died of illnesses.
According to sources, Yar’Adua died at about 10.45pm last night. At his bedside were some of his doctors from overseas, the First Lady, Hajiya Turai, his Chief Security Officer and his Aide-de-Camp.
It was gathered that the specialist doctors were brought into the country last weekend, following a sudden relapse of the late Yar’Adua’s health.
A source, who spoke in confidence last night, said: “The President had some complications earlier in the day, until about 8pm when his condition became uncontrollable.
“The sudden change of his condition changed the atmosphere in the President’s room. But at about 10.45pm, he gave up the ghost.
“His passage overwhelmed everybody around him, with a hail of tears taking over the Villa.”
It was gathered that some members of Yar’Adua’s family broke the news to the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and associates of the President, including the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Dr Bukola Saraki.
It was also learnt that the news of the demise of the President had been broken to his mother, Hajiya Dada.
Yar’Adua’s body was being prepared last night for the journey to Katsina.
A distraught Special Adviser to the President on Communications, Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, confirmed the passage of Yar’Adua.
He said: “It is true, the President has passed on. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”
Another aide said: “He was a good man, a charismatic leader and it is just unfortunate that he never lived to tell his own story.”
Early callers at Yar’Adua’s residence were the Acting President, his wife(Patience); the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and the National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, as well as members of the Federal Executive Council.
Acting President Dr Goodluck Jonathan is to be sworn in today as President, according to a source who said there can be no vacuum in the presidency.
The Federal Government declared a seven-day national mourning.
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