Hajiya Turai Yar’Adua, the wife of the late Nigerian President Musa Yar’Adua, has shared intimate details about her husband’s final moments and his subsequent passing, News About Nigeria reports.
In an interview with BBC Hausa, she disclosed that she had been observing a continuous fast since her husband fell ill, and on the day he passed away, she was about to break her fast when she sensed his reluctance for her to leave his side.
Recalling the pivotal moment, Turai explained that as she was preparing to depart, she perceived a reluctance in her husband’s eyes.
However, she proceeded to break her fast, only to be urgently summoned back to his side, where she found him struggling for breath.
This memory has haunted her, and she blames herself for momentarily leaving him.
Musa Yar’Adua, a former Nigerian president, passed away while in office on May 5, 2010.
As a devout Muslim, Turai accepts the reality of life and death, acknowledging that Allah is the ultimate giver and taker of life.
Despite her profound loss, she maintains gratitude towards Allah for granting her the privilege of sharing her life with her late husband and accepting his departure without anger or resentment.
During the interview, the former first lady also expressed her enduring longing for her husband.
She revealed that she thinks about him every day, and although the passing of time has made each day feel ordinary, she appreciates the prayers and kind words offered by others on this particular day.
Turai emphasized that her husband lived a humble life and was uninterested in accumulating material wealth.
She illustrated his simplicity by recounting how he would continue using a broken wristwatch until she personally intervened.
His lack of ambition for power and worldly possessions further exemplified his unpretentious nature.
Their marriage was characterized by happiness, and their relationship was often admired by others.
Turai fondly reminisced about their strong bond, where her husband would eagerly await her return from travels and be the first to check on her well-being.
It was the absence of his customary concern on one of her trips that led her to shed tears for the first time after his passing.
Regarding her involvement in political activities, Turai stated that she focused primarily on her family during her time in government.
She would only go to the First Lady’s office when there was work to be done.
Even after her husband’s death, she continued caring for their children and grandchildren, expressing gratitude to Allah for their success and lack of straying from the right path.
When asked about her relationship with her husband’s political associates, particularly during President Jonathan’s administration, Turai stated that she maintained an amicable rapport with them but refrained from getting deeply involved in political affairs after her husband’s demise.
Her priority remained her family, and she cherished the moments spent with them.
In offering advice to the incoming First Lady, Turai emphasized the importance of patience.
Drawing from her own experiences, she stressed the potential challenges that may arise when one’s husband takes a principled stand, making the First Lady susceptible to becoming a target.
Turai encouraged the new First Lady to be patient and persistently offer sincere advice, as she would be the only person genuinely committed to guiding her husband.
Others may simply tell him what he wants to hear, but the wife’s role is to provide honest information and encourage thorough investigation. Ultimately, Turai advised entrusting all matters to Allah’s guidance.
