President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received members of the Musa Yar’Adua family at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, in a courtesy visit that celebrated decades of political and personal ties. The delegation was led by Senator Abdul Aziz Yar’Adua.

During the visit, the family presented the president with a portrait of their matriarch, Madam Asabe Yar’Adua, who had warmly received Tinubu during his 2022 electioneering tour of Northern Nigeria. Madam Asabe, widow of Musa Yar’Adua, First Republic Minister of Lagos Affairs, and mother of Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua and former President Umaru Yar’Adua, passed away on September 24, 2024.

Senator Abdul Aziz Yar’Adua described her as a woman who bore life’s challenges with philosophical calmness, leaving a legacy of resilience and dignity.

The visit also rekindled memories of political collaboration stretching back to the Third Republic, when Tinubu joined the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a caucus within the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by Katsina-born General Shehu Yar’Adua. At the time, Tinubu was a senator, Umaru Yar’Adua was a governorship aspirant, and Shehu Yar’Adua was a leading presidential contender.

Although Shehu Yar’Adua’s presidential ambitions were cut short due to imprisonment under the Sani Abacha regime, his influence remained felt across Nigeria’s political landscape.

The visit underscored the longstanding respect and personal rapport between President Tinubu and the Yar’Adua family. Notably, Tinubu refrained from supporting the 2007 legal challenge to his presidential victory by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as a mark of respect for the Yar’Adua legacy.

This courtesy visit highlights the enduring political and cultural bonds between Tinubu and one of Nigeria’s most prominent political families.