Audu remained my friend till he died, says Wada

Idris Wada, governor of Kogi state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state governorship election, has expressed shock over the death of his main rival in the poll.

Wada, who announced that he has declared a 7-day mourning period, said Kogi was going through “a trying period”.

“My brother and friend, Prince Abubakar Audu is gone. What a trying period for me, my family and our state,” he wrote on Twitter.

“I first met my late brother and friend in 1973 and we have remained ever close since then. Words fail me indeed.

“I have made calls to the family of my late friend to commiserate with them. I have declared a 7-day mourning period in the state.

“RIP my friend.”

He would be buried in a few hours time, according to reports.

Audu, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), polled more votes than Wada in the election.

He secured 240,867 votes and Wada polled 199,514 votes, leaving a difference of 41,353.

A total of 49,953 votes were voided in the election.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the poll inconclusive in line with the provision of the electoral act that the number of cancelled votes must not be higher than the margin between the two leading candidates.