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There are indications the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi, Abubakar Audu, may not have died as a result of the news of the declaration of Saturday’s election as inconclusive.
We learnt that Mr. Audu’s health problem started on Saturday evening.
A relative told PREMIUM TIMES his problem started when he complained of stomach cramps on Saturday.
“He suffered a stroke this morning,” the source told PREMIUM TIMES.
“Another one occurred this afternoon and that was fatal.”
A close friend and close associate of the late politician had confirmed his passing to PREMIUM TIMES.
“Audu is gone,” the distraught associate, who requested not to be named, told our reporter on the telephone.
Though too shattered to provide details of the politician’s passing, he confirmed he was in the candidate’s company when he passed on.
The source said the former governor suddenly took ill and was being rushed to Abuja preparatory to being flown abroad when he passed on.
Mr. Audu’s son, Mustapha is not answering or returning calls and so were all the other close family members we tried to contact.
One of his media aides, Phillip Obin, also did not answer or return calls.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the Saturday governorship election inconclusive, but Mr. Audu was in a pole position to be declared winner eventually.
LATE POLITICIAN TO BE BURIED MONDAY
Family members, friends, associates and sympathisers have thronged the residence of Abubakar Audu, in his hometown, Ogbonicha, in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
A family source told our correspondent that many people had gathered in his family home weeping over the sudden passing away of the APC governorship candidate.
“I am aware that right now so many people have gathered in his house and they are weeping seriously,” the source who would not want to be named, said.
“As a Muslim he would be buried at 10 am tomorrow morning.”
Relatives and associates have also gathered at his residence in the GRA area of Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.
Our reporter, who visited, saw some mourners weeping uncontrollably.
Sympathisers had started gathering at the residence some hours ago anxious to confirm news of the politician’s death.
A supporter of the politician said news of the sudden illness, and later death, of Mr. Audu stalled celebration at his residence Saturday afternoon.
“As we were preparing for the celebration (of his victory at the election) and awaiting Prince Audu, one politician came and said we should stop drumming,” the supporter said.