By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state has expressed deep shock and pain over the sudden demise of the Kogi state All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, describing it as the “most tragic moment in the political history of the state.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, in Minna yesterday, the governor said audu died when he was in a pole-position to be declared winner of the Saturday’s gubernatorial election declared inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Bello, who was the Chairman of APC gubernatorial campaign committee for the Kogi elections, said Prince Audu died a dogged fighter and resilient optimist who believed in the total rebirth of his state.
“We are all saddened on hearing the news of the person we expect to be declared winner only to be declared dead. We believe in God, and only faith in Him would clear the sorrow in our minds as He had decided otherwise,” he said.
He prayed Allah to grant Late Prince Abubakar Audu eternal peace and make Aljanna Firdaus his final home and to give the family the courage and strength to bear the loss.
He urged party loyalists in the state to be calm, prayerful and focused on the concluding part of the election until victory was certain, stressing that it was their duty to not only fill the void left by the late Prince Audu, but also to actualise his dreams and aspirations for the people.
