The late Yar’Adua held office as Nigeria’s president from May 2007 until his passing in May 2010.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nigerian leaders have been urged to honour the memory of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua by establishing a presidential library in his name, as a tribute to his legacy of integrity, humility, and principled leadership.

The call was made on Saturday in Abuja during the 2nd Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Leadership Conference and Awards, organised by the Global Initiative for Leadership Success (GILS), a non-governmental organisation.

Themed “Electoral Management Institution: Midwife of True Democracy, Development and Prosperity,” the event highlighted Yar’Adua’s contributions to national unity, good governance, and his commitment to democratic ideals.

Convener and GILS CEO, Sunnie Chukumele, said the conference was inspired by Yar’Adua’s exemplary leadership. He noted that the former president stood out for acknowledging the irregularities that marred the election that brought him to power and for initiating reforms to correct them.

“President Yar’Adua was a man of great honour. One of his key legacies is the Justice Mohammed Uwais Electoral Reform Report, which remains a blueprint for credible electoral reform. Unfortunately, successive governments have failed to implement its recommendations,” Chukumele said.

He also lauded Yar’Adua’s establishment of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, describing it as a stabilising force in the oil-producing region that continues to bear fruit.

Chukumele urged present-day leaders to embrace far-reaching reforms, particularly in the electoral sector, to deepen democracy and promote national development.

In his keynote address, Professor Jideofor Adibe proposed several electoral reforms, including the removal of presidential powers to appoint the INEC chairman, a hybrid electoral system to enhance representation, improved accessibility for people with disabilities, and gender balance.

Adibe further recommended the creation of a Centre for Democratic Studies, the establishment of an Electoral Offences Commission, and the requirement that at least five justices preside over election-related appeals at the Court of Appeal.

Speaking on “Leadership Virtues as Enhancers of Governance and Organisational Goals: President Yar’Adua’s Impact,” Professor Biodun Ajibade emphasised the importance of converting academic research into practical development outcomes, citing Yar’Adua’s justice-driven leadership as a model.

Legal practitioner Bulus Atsen called for more transparency in the judiciary’s handling of electoral disputes. He advocated sanctions for frivolous legal cases, the creation of an electoral offences desk within INEC, and reforms to ensure the judiciary does not play partisan roles.

“The judiciary must maintain its neutrality. Tribunal appointments need to be revisited, and electoral timelines strengthened,” he said.

In another presentation, titled “The Consequences of Mismanagement of Time in National Systems,” John Elem stressed the need for visionary leadership and consistent national planning, noting that such approaches are key to the success of developed nations.

The conference concluded with the presentation of awards to distinguished Nigerians for their contributions to national development and professional excellence.

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