Former First Lady, Turai Yar’Adua Visits Obasanjo

On Saturday the former First Lady of Nigeria, Turai Yar’Adua, visited former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

Mrs. Yar’Adua, reportedly accompanied to the former president’s residence by businessman Kenny Martins, met privately with Mr. Obasanjo for more than an hour before departing in a convoy of three cars, PremiumTimes reports.

It is the former First Lady’s visit to Mr. Obasanjo since her husband died in office in 2010 after prolonged illness.

Those close to her said during the visit, she thanked the former President for finding her late husband a worthy successor, and pleaded with him to forgive her and her family for whatever wrong was done to him (Obasanjo) during Mr. Yar’Adua’s tenure.

Mr. Obasanjo, who helped the late president to power in 2007, had grown critical of the former President’s immediate family and associates who he accused of mounting a “cloak and dagger operation” to conceal Mr. Yar’Adua’s health status and block his then deputy (Goodluck Jonathan), from assuming power.

It was learnt that Mrs. Yar’Adua also pleaded with Mr. Obasanjo to prevail on President Muhammadu Buhari not to harass or victimize her family members or those who worked with her husband.

“She specifically intimated the former President of the ongoing probe of one of her daughters, Zainab, by the EFCC. She believed it is a witch-hunt, a ploy by the Buhari government to get at her family,” one of our sources said.

An aide of Mr. Obasanjo confirmed the visit.

“It is true that she visited on Saturday,” the aide said. “I don’t know exactly what she discussed with Baba (Obasanjo). But I think it is safe to say she came to greet him and discuss issues relevant to the two families.”

Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on July 22 summoned Zainab, wife of former Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari, over alleged N2billion fraud perpetrated during her husband’s tenure as governor of the Northwest State.

Mrs. Dakingari was initially expected to report for questioning at the EFCC headquarters on July 22.

However, she was given another appointment for July 27 after she sent words that she was away to Saudi Arabia for Umrah (lesser hajj).

When she appeared that July 27, investigators said she was granted administrative bail on health grounds and asked to return on a future date.

EFCC Investigating Saraki's Wife And Yar'adua's Daughter Over Allerged Fraud

Report has it that the daughter of former President Umaru Yar’ Adua and wife of former Kebbi State Governor, Saidu Dakingari, Zainab Dakingari, have been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged fraud to the tune of N2 billion perpetrated during her husband’s tenure as governor of the Northwest State. Also invited for questioning for alleged money laundering is Toyin Saraki, wife of the Senate President and former governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki. Mrs Saraki, a source at the anti-graft agency disclosed, is wanted in relation to questionable inflow of funds into companies where she has interest. She is expected to report at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on July 28, 2015 where a crack team of investigators have already been assembled to grill her. Mrs. Dakingari on the other hand was initially expected to report for questioning at the EFCC headquarters today. However, reporters have gathered that the former Kebbi first lady sent words that she was away to Saudi for Umrah, and pleaded to be allowed to report on ‎ July 27, 2015. Dankingari is expected to explain to operatives of the anti-graft agency the source of the steady stream of huge cash into her companies, while she was the "first lady" of Kebbi State. When contacted for comments, EFCC spokesp‎erson, Wilson Uwujaren, said,

 “I’m aware that a new set of suspects w‎ere recently invited,” Mr. Uwujaren said. “It’s not impossible the two women are among them.”