From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Elder statesman, Edwin Clark, has described the visit of some politicians, particularly Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to the family of Yar’Adua in Katsina State, following the passing of Hajia Dada Habi Yar’Adua, as hypocrisy.
Clark who again expressed sorrow over the passing of the matriarch, described her as a woman of remarkable wisdom and compassion, who raised several distinguished figures, including former president, Umar Musa Yar’Adua, Maj. Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Ardua and Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua.
The elder statesman recalled Atiku’s visit to Hajia Dada during his 2007 campaign, emphasising the respect shown to her as the mother of his political rival.
He urged the former vice president to reflect on that respect now that Hajia Dada has passed.
Clark said: “However, without being immodest, I hesitate to extend chronic Nigeria hypocrites as Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is in the forefront. I must recognise and appreciate those genuine political leaders, who in sympathy meaningfully paid the family their condolences. However, while other political hypocrites use it in plotting to subdue the family of the dead politically, it is difficult for me to know where Atiku Abubakar stands in this matter.
“Let me remind Alhaji Atiku Abubakar during his campaign in 2007. He visited the mother of the President elect and his former boss and mentor in Katsina. This was unusual for a Presidential candidate to pay a courtesy call to a mother of a rival Presidential candidate. He did this because of his long association with Yar’Adua family, and in honour of her late son, General Shehu Yar’Adua, and his rival candidate, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who did not object because of any embarrassment that it may cause. In fact he (Alhaji Atiku Abubakar), felt very free and relaxed when he visited the Yar’Adua’s family house and the Government house in Katsina.
“He may recall that after the victory of the president-elect, Musa Yar’Adua and he was directed to go to court, and I wrote an open letter to him on May 12, 2007, which was widely circulated to eschew all bitterness in the interest of his long standing relationship with the family.
“I particularly reminded him to remember the memory of his political mentor Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, to show respect to his mother whom he visited when campaigned.
“However, due to his inordinate ambition to rule Nigeria at all cost, he did not heed to my advice and continued with court actions until he lost woefully.
“Today, some of us are still alive to witness that he is the same person leading the delegations to go and mourn the woman that he did not show respect for, while she was alive. As they say in my own part of Nigeria, ‘wonders shall never dnd.’”
Clark concluded with a call for political leaders to prioritize the interests of Nigerians over personal ambitions, expressing hope for the country’s future unity.
“However, I have great confidence in the survival of this country with trust for one and other, and there are many notable Nigerians in this category who genuinely and sincerely believe in the loss or gains to the family of the dead or citizens they paid such a visit to. This is the group I wholeheartedly believes in at any age when it pleases God Almighty to call me home.
“Finally, as an aged father, I must continue to caution this Presidential aspirant to practice politics with good conscience and morality. They should always place the interest of Nigerians who are suffering from manners in society above their personal ambitions.”
Clark also noted that the recent success of the Super Eagles football team had uplifted his spirits amid his health challenges.
“On a lighter note, the success of the Super Eagles over Benin Republic helps me to recover from my health condition on Saturday 8th, 2024. That is the country we want irrespective of our region or states we come from.”
