Speaking to thep BBC Hausa on the 13th anniversary of his death, Late President Yar’Adua widow Hajiya Turai said her husband was never desperate to become President
Turai described her husband as an accidental politician who was more interested in being a teacher and spending time with his family than in politics.
“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,” the former First Lady said.
Turai also spoke about her private life with her late husband, saying that she thinks about him every day and misses him deeply. She expressed gratitude for the privilege of spending a significant part of her life with him and said that she is happy that people across the country still remember him and pray for him on anniversary days
“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.”
Remembering the day he died, Turai said after he fell sick, she started fasting everyday, and on that fateful May 5, 2010, at iftaar time. “I held his hands and told him I was stepping out for iftaar 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 iftaar. 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.
Turai also shared her views on the incoming administration, urging the incoming First Lady, Remi Tinubu, to be patient and tolerant as she and her husband navigate the tough and bumpy road ahead.
She expressed confidence that the incoming First Lady has what it takes to endure the challenges and help her husband deliver on his mandate.
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