Saraki, Dogara, Lasun Mourn Audu
Eminent Nigerians yesterday mourned the sudden passing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu.
Among those who expressed their feelings were Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Yussuff Sulaimon Lasun.
Saraki described as painful and shocking, the demise of Audu. He said the late politician died a dogged and visionary leader.
The senate president in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, expressed deep sadness on receiving the news of Audu's death and condoled with the immediate family of the deceased, the government and people of Kogi State and the national and state executives as well as members of the APC over the irreparable loss.
He recalled the tenacity of purpose and unwavering loyalty of the deceased who he said remained committed to the course of his people and his party to the very last moment of his life.
Also, Dogara, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, described Audu’s death as a shock, adding that the APC had lost a strong pillar.
Dogara said Audu’s death was a major setback for the APC, and expressed regret that the former Governor, did not live to celebrate his imminent victory at the weekend’s election where he was the leading candidate.
He expressed his condolences to the family of the deceased and to the government and people of Kogi State.
Lasun also described the sudden death as a rude shock.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wole Oladimeji, the Deputy Speaker said Audu worked hard to ensure that the APC is rooted in Kogi State.
“I pray the Almighty Allah to give the people of the state the fortitude to bear the loss of a great man, a philanthropic leader, a democrat who devoted part of his time to helping the less privileged in the society,” Lasun said.
Tinubu: Death Reminds Us of Our Mortality
The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, yesterday described the demise of Audu as shocking and sorrowful, noting that his death “reminds us of our mortality.”
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, added that no person “will be on this earth forever. While here, we must make positive impact. We must strive toward good.”
He made the remarks in a personal statement in which he categorically said Audu died before his time.
He said the sudden death of the former governor “is sorrowful and shocking. I knew Prince Audu Abubakar roughly 30 years ago. He was a good friend. He is a good man.
He therefore prayed that God would comfort his loved ones, noting that only God “can during this sad period. May they take solace in the fact that Audu was an outstanding figure and great leader of men. They have a right to be proud of who he was.”
Tambuwal Condoles Family
Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, has enjoined family members and supporters of Audu to take heart and consider the death of the respected politician as an act of God that can happen to all mortals at appointed time.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, to journalists in Sokoto yesterday.
Tambuwal described the death of Audu as shocking. The governor prayed God to grant Audu eternal rest, and his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Okorocha Denies Media Claim, Mourns Audu
Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, Chief Rochas Okorocha, yesterday denied a social media report which claimed that he (Okorocha) allegedly accused the national leader of the party, Senator Ahmed Tinubu, of masterminding the sudden death of Audu.
In a statement signed by Okorocha’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwuemeodo, he described the report as “basically untrue” as there was no time the governor had any discussion with any reporter concerning the sudden death of Audu, let alone accusing the former governor of Lagos State and pillar of the party of being responsible for the death of Audu.
Okorocha said only God knew why it happened at the time the deceased was closer to coming back as the governor of that state.
Niger Governor, Ex-Governor Aliyu Express Shock
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and the immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, expressed shock over the passing on of Audu.
The duo in statements made available to the press in Minna yesterday described the passing to the great beyond of Audu as a great loss not only to the people of Kogi State but Nigeria as a whole.
The statement was signed on behalf of the governor by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Jibrin Ndace and the spokesman to the former governor, Mr. Israel Ebije, signed on his behalf.
The two leaders described the late Audu as a versatile politician who touched the lives of his people when he held sway as governor of the state some 12 years ago.
Kalu Commiserate with Audu’s Family
Former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, described Audu as a consummate politician whose demise is a big blow to the nation.
Kalu who acknowledged the late politician as a selfless leader, noted that he was committed to the plight of his people.
Kalu urged the Audu family to take solace in the fact that their patriarch lived a purposeful life and contributed to the sociopolitical development of Nigeria. IG: It is Irreparable Loss
The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Solomon Arase, commiserated with Nigerians, especially the people of Kogi State, families, friends and relations of Audu, whose death was announced late Sunday, and prayed God to give the family and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and to grant the deceased eternal rest.
The IG also commended the people of the state for their enviable peaceful conduct before, during and after the gubernatorial election held in the state.
The police boss, in a statement signed by the Force spokesperson, Olabisi Kolawole, Assistant Commissioner of Police, was particularly pleased with the very high level of comportment, discipline, orderliness, patience and understanding exhibited by the citizens throughout the period of the election.
Arase, while calling for a similar level of citizens’ cooperation and support for the Police and other relevant agencies during the forthcoming election taking place in Bayelsa State on December 5, 2015,equally gave kudos to the personnel of the police and other security agencies assigned for election duties in Kogi State for their professional conduct throughout the election period.
He charged the officers to remain focused and committed in the discharge of their duties to their fatherland.