Buhari says Audu’s death is a ‘loss’ as APC chieftains attend ex-gov’s burial

The remains of Abubakar Audu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kogi state governorship election, were laid to rest at his residence in Ogbonicha, Ofu local government area of the state.

President Muhammadu Buhari has described Audu’s death as a “loss”, praying that God consoles his family.

“We are obviously devastated at the loss,” he said in a statement issued on his behalf by Garba Shehu, one of his spokesmen.

“He was immensely courageous. 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. He ran as the favorite in the election as the early results have clearly shown.”

According to NAN, the remains of Audu, who died on Sunday, were buried at exactly 1:32 pm.

Salman Adam, the chairman, Kogi Council of Ulamah, assisted by chief imam of Anyigba, Yahaya Musa, presided over the Islamic burial rites.

Kassim Imam, a Muslim scholar, in a brief funeral speech, said only God had the right to give or take life as no human had that right.

He said that Audu’s death should not be ascribed to the making or wishes of any man, saying it was his time to go back to his creator.

Dignataries who attended the burial included John Oyegun, chairman of the APC; former governors of Benue, Kano and Edo states, George Akume, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Lucky Igbinedion.

Abdulrahman Abubakri, representative of Kogi east senatorial district, and several members of the national assembly also attended the event.

TheCable learnt that Audu complained of stomach cramps before going to bed Saturday night, having been feeling unwell since Friday, a day to the election.

He only managed to vote in his hometown, Ogbonicha, on Saturday before retiring to his house.

Audu experienced the first stroke, TheCable learnt, at 9am on Sunday, and suffered the second stroke hours later.