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MARCH 19, 2007 VOL. 20. NO 23

Behind the Veil

**Umaru Musa Yar'Adua**

An x-ray of the man, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, reveals a man of steel largely unknown to many
By Oji Odu
Described by many as a complex character, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the Mutawallen Katsina, is the third person in the Yar’Adua clan of Katsina town to take a bold shot at ruling the country – after his father, Musa and elder brother, Shehu respectively.
Born 56 years ago, Umaru was a lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria before he became the Governor of Katsina State in 1999 – the same institution that recently re-appointed him as a lecturer after his tenure as governor– until the higher calling to contest for the highest office in Nigeria came.
Described by a number of people, including his close associates, as one of the most quiet, hardworking and honest persons around, especially by Professor Johnson Femi Iyun, dean, Faculty of Science, ABU and Professor Sunday Asuquo Ihomas, director, SHEIDA Science and Technology Village, Abuja, Umaru goes around without as much any airs.
Authoritative sources have it that Umaru was chosen by President Obasanjo due to his sincerity and honesty, especially when he told the President that he did not have the money for the presidential race, which the others did not complain about, and knowing full well that most of those in the race were using public money to run their campaigns, the president was said to have immediately prodded him on.
A shrewd chief exective, though widely regarded as colourless and taciturn, Umaru is believed to have made public office in Katsina State unattractive. This is evident in the fact that it is no longer common practice in the State, as was the case before he came on board in 1999, for government items and property, especially the all-important farming input, fertilizer to develop wings, as such avenues to loot the state treasury have been blocked.
Although some see in Umaru a trustworthy and obedient party man, even President Obasanjo despite the bond and loyalty he received from the late Shehu Yar’Adua, still harbours doubts whether he (Umaru) will actually remain as he is perceived.
Mansur Liman of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said of Umaru recently in Abuja: “He differed with his own brother on many occasions and criticised him on many issues, and so I don’t expect him to be easily controlled by Obasanjo.”
In fact, as an undergraduate student at the ABU, Umaru was a self-confessed maxist, even as he was critical of his late brother's capitalist beliefs.
Many may have under-estimated Umaru’s quietness, dismissing him as weakling, but he is nonetheless known as one who is focused and “who knows his mind”, as one commentator put it.
Umaru is not known to be much of a traveller, which is evident in his almost eight years as governor and his laizez-faire attitude to issues. For instance, reliable information has it that during a recent interview, he did not bother that a generating set be put on when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria put off electricity supply as he and his interviewers sweated for the duration of the session.
Also, the PDP presidential candidate has refused severally to heed to advise to reduce his smoking habit, to such an extent that he could walk accross the street to a kiosk to buy a stick of cigarette.
Known for his intolerance of the opposition, the governor is said to have sacked two state chairmen of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Musa Musa and Senator Abu Ibrahim, in quick succession for refusing, as alleged, to toe his stand-point, even as PDP stalwarts in the state frown at his alleged high handedness and workers cry over charges of insensitivity to their plight.
Reputed to have prudently managed funds in Katsina State, Umaru has been taken to task by critics for having favoured companies linked to his family’s vast business concerns.
His integrity and transparency are being punctuated by many Katsina indigenes, especially members of the opposition who accuse the Katsina governor-cum presidential candidate of the PDP of inflating contracts in favour of his friends and relatives. He was accused of fronting for his uncle, Alhaji M.T. Usman, chairman, Lodgiani Nig. Ltd, to execute state projects, even as Alhaji Muhammed Balarabe, an All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) chieftain in Katsina State and former chairman, Katsina State Primary Education Board describes him as "greedy."
But as one of the Nigerian governors that publicly declared his assets before he was sworn-in as governor in 1999 and 2003 when he won elections for a second term, Umaru is, indeed, one of the few not investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corruption.
A muslim and married with children Umaru Yar’Adua apparently needs to prove himself the right president Nigeria needs at this time.