This announcement came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared his victory at the election inconclusive.
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“Prince Audu built friendship beyond political and ethnic divides”.
Audu had previously won the state governorship election and served as Governor in the botched Third Republic from 1992 to 1993 and in the Fourth Republic from 1999-2003 on the platform of the defunct NRC and APP, respectively.
He condoled with the family and people of the state over the death of the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the state governorship election.
The National Secretary of the APC, Mala Buni, in a statement said “Mr Audu was certainly one of our stars, a democrat par excellence, a development-oriented leader and a beacon for the liberation of Kogi State from its apparent decay”.
The chairman of Kogi Council of Ulamah, Salman Adam, assisted by the Chief Imam of Anyigba, Yahaya Musa, presided over the Islamic burial rites. A prophet had earlier promised to revive Audu to life.
The statement said: “President Buhari condoles with the family of the late governor, the government and people of Kogi state as well as all our party members, men and women who stood with Audu in his bid return as Governor”. She, however, told the people that she could not help if it was God’s time for Audu to die.
The remains of the former governor were laid to rest in his country home, Ogbonicha in Ofu LGA. Efforts to speak with dignitaries proved abortive as they looked confused over the untimely death of APC candidate.
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“He might have physically transited, but he will forever be spiritually and politically relevant not only in Kogi State but in Nigeria”.
