Nigeria would’ve been better if Yar’Adua completed his tenure – Gowon

Former Nigerian Head of State Yakubu Gowon stated that Nigeria might have been a better country if the late President Umaru Yar’adua had completed his term in office.

Gowon commended Yar’adua for the significant progress he made during his brief time as president.

Speaking at the first President Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Leadership Conference and Awards, organized by the Global Initiative for Leadership Success in Abuja on Monday, Gowon highlighted the late president’s decision to grant amnesty to Niger Delta militants, which helped to stabilize the country’s economy.

Yar’adua became president in 2007 but passed away in 2010 due to health issues. Gowon described him as a man of integrity, honesty, and decency.

He mentioned that Yar’adua admitted that the electoral process that brought him to power was flawed and had set up a committee to address it, although his successors did not continue the initiative.

Gowon praised Yar’adua’s incorruptibility and sincerity, noting that his efforts, such as the amnesty program for the Niger Delta, played a significant role in protecting the economy.

He emphasized that Yar’adua’s legacy deserves to be remembered for his integrity and commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges.