Umaru Yar'Adua
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| Umaru Yar'Adua | |
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| In office May 29, 1999 – May 29, 2007 |
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| Born | 1951 |
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| Political party | People's Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Turai Umaru Yar’adua |
| Religion | Islam |
Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (born 1951 in Katsina) is a Nigerian politician who has been governor of Katsina State in northern Nigeria since 29 May 1999. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and is married to Turai Umaru Yar’adua.
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[edit] Early life and education
Umaru Yar'Adua was born into an aristocratic Katsina family; his father, a former minister for Lagos during the First Republic, was also the Mutawallen of Katsina.[1]
Yar'Adua started his education at Rafukka Primary School in 1958, and moved to Dutsinma Boarding Primary School in 1962. He attended Government College, Keffi, from 1965 until 1969, and received his Higher School Certificate from Barewa College in 1971.[2]
Yar'Adua attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria twice, once from 1972 to 1975, and once from 1978 to 1980. He left the first time with a B.Sc Education/Chemistry and the second time having gained an M.Sc Degree in Analytical Chemistry.[2]
[edit] Political career
During the second republic, he was a member of the leftist People's Redemption Party, while his father was briefly the National Vice chairman of the National Party of Nigeria. He contested the governorship election of Katsina state under the banner of the Social Democratic Party, but lost to Saidu Barde, an ally of President Ibrahim Babangida. In 1999, he contested for the same position and won.[1]
[edit] Presidential nomination
On December 16–17, 2006, Yar'Adua was chosen as the presidential candidate of the ruling PDP for the upcoming April 2007 election, receiving 3,024 votes from party delegates; his closest rival, Rochas Okorocha, received only 372 votes.[3] Yar'Adua's success in the primary was attributed to the support of incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo;[3][4] at the time of his nomination he was an obscure figure on the national stage, and has been described as a "puppet" of Obasanjo who could not have won the nomination under fair circumstances.[4] Shortly after winning the nomination, Yar'Adua chose Goodluck Jonathan, governor of Bayelsa State, as his vice-presidential candidate.[3][4]
Another view of the support he received from President Obasanjo is that he is one of few serving governors with a spotless record, devoid of any suspicions or charges of corruption.[4] He also belongs to the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) - a powerful political block founded by his late brother, Shehu Musa Yar'Adua.
Yar'Adua, who suffers from a kidney condition, challenged his critics to a game of squash in an endeavor to end speculations about his health.[5] On March 6, 2007, he was flown to Germany for medical reasons, further fermenting rumors about his health. His spokesperson said that this was due to stress and quoted Yar'Adua as saying he was fine and would soon be back to campaigning. Another report, which was rejected by Yar'Adua's spokesperson, claims that Yar'Adua collapsed after suffering a possible heart attack.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Daily Trust, Yar'Adua Interview, March 3, 2007
- ^ a b BIO-DATA OF HIS EXCELLENCY, ALHAJI UMARU MUSA YAR’ADUA EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, KATSINA STATE. yaradua2007.com. Yar' adua 2007. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.
- ^ a b c Tom Ashby, "Reclusive Yar'Adua wins ruling party ticket", Reuters, December 17, 2006.
- ^ a b c d Steve Bloomfield, "Obasanjo picks 'puppet' successor in elections", The Independent (U.K.), December 17, 2006.
- ^ Reuters "Candidate wants to squash health rumors", Reuters January 5, 2007.
- ^ Tom Ashby, "Is Lagos candidate to ill to rule?" Reuters (IOL), March 8, 2007.
[edit] External links
| Preceded by Joseph Akaagerger |
Governor of Katsina State 29 May 1999 – present |
Incumbent |
| Persondata | |
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| NAME | Yar'Adua, Umaru |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Yar Adua, Umaru Musa |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Govenor of Katsina State, PDP presidential candidate |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1951 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Katsina |
| DATE OF DEATH | |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
