Residents of Yar’adua Quarters in the ancient city of Katsina in Katsina State are becoming used to sirens and motorcades of expensive SUVs and other automobiles not because the Emir of Katsina follows the road which divides the quarters leading to his palace or the fact that one of the incumbent governor’s wife’s family house is located in the area.
The sirens and motorcades are becoming synonymous with the Yar’Adua Quarters, and to a large extent Kofar Keke and Kerau Quarters, because of the presence of the family house of a former Minister of Lagos Affairs, late Musa Yar’Adua. Aside from the late First Republic politician and royal blood, his two sons went on to reach the pinnacle of political and military careers.
General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Rtd) became the Chief of Staff Supreme Headquarters, the equivalent of the vice president status in Nigeria. His younger brother, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was a two-term governor and president.
Not only in recent years, but it has been a longstanding tradition for top federal government officials and politicians in the country to pay respect to Hajiya Dada Yar’adua, wife of the late minister and mother of both Shehu and Umaru.
A protocol staff in the Secretary to State Government’s (SSG) office, who asked not to be named, told 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE that they had become used to vehicular paraphernalia.
He said, “We always make provision for the visits even when they don’t say it. Some of them would come to Katsina, and the first thing they say is, “Take me to Yar’Adua’s house”. So, we make sure that when there are visitors, we inform the family and provide the necessary support to receive them.”
The visitors so far
21 CENTURY CHRONICLE gathered that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo was at the house early this year when he visited Katsina to condole billionaire businessman, Dahiru Barau Mangal, who lost his mother.
In a viral video clip, Governor Aminu Bello Masari was seen introducing Osinbajo to the aged Hajiya Dada in the Hausa language.
Gov Masari said, “Shi ne mataimakin shugaban kasa. Ya zo gaisuwa; ya ce ke ma zai zo ya gaishe ki.” The old woman nodded, waved and said something inaudible.
Atiku Abubakar, who insists Katsina State is his second home, after Adamawa, visited Hajiya Dada on Wednesday afternoon when he met PDP delegates in the state to solicit their votes.
“My visit to Katsina would be incomplete without a stopover at the Yar’adua family compound. Hajiya Aya Dada Yar’Adua, the mother of my late mentor, Tafida Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and former President Umaru Yar’Adua, has been a mother figure to me since my association with the family. I’m happy to have met her in good condition. She prayed for my success and peace and unity to return to our dear country.” – AA. Atiku posted on his official Facebook page.
A former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was also at the Yar’adua house when he visited Katsina to condole with Mangal. But Hajiya Dada was “unavailable” to meet him. He met her co-widow and a daughter instead.
Other PDP presidential aspirants who have visited the house recently include Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, a former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, and Rivers State Governor, Neysom Wike.
Why do they visit?
A political historian, Baba Bala Katsina, said there were several reasons as to why the family remained relevant not only in the state but the country in general.
He said, “Politicians do things that please people. The family is popular because of their status. So, it makes people in the state happy when a politician or government official visits Katsina and pays respect to the family, because the majority of people respect the Yar’adua family.
“Second, tradition and political prominence. You know, starting from the father, Musa Yar’adua, to the two sons, Shehu and Umaru; they played critical roles in the development of the country. The visits didn’t start today or after the death of Umaru. It has been the tradition. So, those in the political circle now are mostly their (Shehu and Umaru’s) contemporaries. That could be another reason. And there is also the issue of elitist fraternity. You know as well that the family is big and connected nationally. You know the elite care much about themselves and their cliques.”
According to him, however, the main reason could be that the visits are because the family is still of relevance to the people of the state.
He added that, “If Katsinawa don’t respect the family, those politicians would not be falling over themselves to visit and greet her.”
