Yar’adua’s Mum: ‘No quarrel with Turai’

The President’s sister Hajiya Mairo Yar’adua, who spoke on behalf of the First Mum yesterday.


Rumours of a conflict between the nation’s First Lady and the First Mum, allegedly over whether the ailing President Umaru Yar’adua should quit office in view of his health problems, were dismissed yesterday by Hajiya Dada Habib Yar’adua, who said she never had any quarrel with her daughter-in-law as alleged by some newspapers. The reticent presidential mum spoke last night through her daughter, the president’s sister Hajiya Mairo Musa Yar’adua.


Hajiya Mairo said, “The attention of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s family has been drawn to the false, malicious and obviously sponsored media reports that suggested that the President’s mother, Hajia Dada Habib Yar’Adua asked Mr. President to resign from office on account of his ill health. The reports also insinuated that Hajia Dada is at loggerheads with the President’s wife, Hajiya Turai, whom the newspapers claimed was urging the President to sit tight. Since this reportage, the President’s mother has been very sad because there was never a time that such statements were made by her.


“To put the records straight, the President’s mother has never spoken to the media. She enjoys a cordial relationship with her daughter-in-law, Turai. The president’s mother, contrary to media reports, is supportive of Mr. President’s foray into politics and has always encouraged him to render selfless service to the good people of Nigeria.


“All the President’s mother has been doing since her son travelled abroad for medical treatment is offering fervent prayers for his speedy recovery. She believes it is normal for human beings to fall sick, and recover. She has therefore never contemplated asking the President to resign.


“It is therefore highly irresponsible for anybody to drag the President’s mother into the politics of the President’s health. What she expects from Nigerians is to pray for the quick recovery of her son. The mass media should strive to be more responsible in their reports and desist from being used as tools of blackmail by disgruntled politicians. The media should cross check their facts before going to press. At this critical stage of the nation’s development, the media should concentrate on issues that unite us and not heat up the polity.


“It is distressing that some media houses even involved the late brother of Mr. President, General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua in this unhealthy rumour and gossips. Hajia Dada Yar’Adua is asking these journalists and political opponents of Mr President to leave her alone, and allow her late son to rest in peace!


“Hajia Dada Yar’Adua also calls on the media houses responsible for these falsehoods to retract the misleading reports and apologize to the family or face legal action.”


An Ibadan-based newspaper had alleged at the weekend that the two women had quarrelled because while the First Mum urged Yar’adua to quit the presidency and look after his health, the First Lady allegedly urged him to hold fast to his powerful office.