Prince Abubakar Audu Died After Result Declaration – Brother

All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, died shortly after the results of the governorship was announced, his younger brother said yesterday.

Alhaji Tijani Audu revealed that his late brother died after the Returning Officer, Prof Emmanuel Kucha, declared the election inconclusive, and not on Sunday morning as being reported.

He told journalists that the late politician had listened to and watched the collation of the results before he died.

“I was with him when the whole thing started. I was told in the morning of Saturday that he was sick and I called him to confirm but he said he was okay and would be coming to vote by 1pm, and he came without showing any sign of sickness and we went together to vote.

“But the following day (Sunday) by 10 am, I went there to see him and his children said he was having health challenges and was weak, I even advised that after the announcement of the result he should go abroad for treatment”, he said.

He said Audu lived and fought for his people and would continue to be remembered for his sacrifices and doggedness.
The remains of the former governor were laid to rest in his country home, Ogbonicha in Ofu LGA.
Audu was buried at about 1.50 pm after the Chief Imam of Ankpa Central Mosque, Salman Adamu, led a mammoth crowd in the funeral prayers.

Women, youth and children were seen weeping and grieving over the death of Audu, saying Igaland had lost one its most illustrious sons.

Earlier before the funeral rites were performed, there was wild jubilation among the sympathizers following rumours that Audu had resurrected and would address the people in due course.

Daily Trust learnt that rumours about Audu’s “resurrection” began to make the round the moment a “prayer warrior” was reportedly brought in to pray for the deceased.

The said “prayer warrior,” a young lady, had reportedly claimed that she could pray and bring Audu to life if his death was caused by any human being. She, however, told the people that she could not help if it was God’s time for Audu to die.

After waiting anxiously for some time without seeing Audu come out to address them, the sympathizers realised that the news was a hoax.

An elder, Tijani Isiaka, said death is an inevitable end for all mortals and frowned at the antics of those giving false hope to the sympathizers that Audu had resurrected.

He said there was no point for such rumours as that would amount to making mockery of the dead.
Among personalities that attended the burial were former Edo State Governor Lucky Igbinedion, former Niger governor Abdulkadir Kure, deputy governors of Kogi and Imo, Senators George Akume, Dino Melaye, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and top stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress.

Attention has now shifted to INEC which is expected to determine the next line of action following the death of the leading candidate in the Kogi state election.

Source: Daily Trust