Confusion in Kogi: What INEC Will Do Following Audu's Death

Kogi State APC governorship candidate Prince Abubakar Audu has died after taking ill on Saturday. He was 68. But the unexpected turn of event has thrown up some serious political controversies.

Audu was leading by 41,000 votes (he scored 240,867) ahead of incumbent Governor Idris Wada of PDP who scored 199,514 votes.

But INEC declared the exercise inconclusive, saying there would be supplementary election in 91 units — a decision that has been condemned by senior legal experts as "simply wrong".

Now what is the way forward?
As we have reported, Audu died in his village Ogbonicha-Alloma in Ofu Local Government Area following complications from a stroke. His death set off arguments about the future of the election.

"I think he will be buried on Monday in accordance with Islamic rites," a source said.

It was learnt that Audu had been billed for a medical check-up this week. He was said to be feeling unwell since Friday.

Another source said he died early Sunday morning even before the results were announced, contrary to the information that he died after the elections were declared inconclusive.

Governor Idris Wada is expected to lead the government team to his burial, it was learnt last night.

When Audu's running mate James Faleke, was asked at about 5p.m. to leave his home base in Ekinrinade for Lokoja, there was the suspicion that something untoward had happened.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: "At about 5pm, Mr. Faleke got a call to proceed to Lokoja to attend to an emergency. Faleke later moved from Lokoja to Ogbonicha-Alloma.

"A worried Faleke then asked what was wrong. He was then told that Audu had a partial stroke and needed urgent attention. This made Faleke to immediately embark on an unprepared journey.

"Shortly after hitting the road, Faleke's phone was bombarded with calls on what happened to Audu. He also was in a dilemma and had no answer to the enquiries."

A national officer of the party said: "Yes, my brother, Prince Abubakar Audu is dead."

In his Twitter handle, Senator Shehu Sani( Kaduna Central Senatorial District) said: " Abubakar Audu; victory and tragedy. We mourn, we mourn a dogged fighter, a resilient optimist."

An aide to the late Audu said: "This is a tragedy. I just lost my boss. He did not make it despite the efforts of everybody here to revive him. Everyone is crying here and I will call you later."

INCONCLUSIVE ELECTION
As for the election, INEC is weighing its options on the Kogi saga but many lawyers are saying APC is the leading party based on Supreme Court ruling on Rotimi Amaechi which made him governor.

We gathered that the re-run may go on with APC deputy governorship candidate as the new candidate and the party will nominate a fresh deputy governorship candidate to work with him.