There are indications the  candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Saturday’s governorship election in Kogi, Abubakar Audu, may not have died as a result of the news of the declaration of Saturday’s election as inconclusive.

This newspaper learnt that Mr. Audu’s health problem started on Saturday evening.

A relative said his problem started when he complained of stomach cramps on Saturday. “He suffered a stroke this morning,” the source said.

“Another one occurred this afternoon and that was fatal.” A close friend and close associate of the late politician had confirmed his passing. “Audu is gone,” the distraught associate, who requested not to be named, told our reporter on the telephone.

Though too shattered to provide details of the politician’s passing, he confirmed he was in the candidate’s company when he passed on.

The source said the former governor suddenly took ill and was being rushed to Abuja preparatory to being flown abroad when he passed on.

Mr. Audu’s son, Mustapha is not answering or returning calls and so were all the other close family members we tried to contact.

One of his media aides, Phillip Obin, also did not answer or return calls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the Saturday governorship election inconclusive, but Mr. Audu was in a pole position to be declared winner eventually.

Family members, friends, associates and sympathisers have thronged the residence of Abubakar Audu, in his hometown, Ogbonicha, in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

A family source told our correspondent that many people had gathered in his family home weeping over the sudden passing away of the APC governorship candidate.

“I am aware that right now so many people have gathered in his house and they are weeping seriously,” the source who would not want to be named, said.

“As a Muslim he would be buried at 10 am tomorrow morning.”

Credit: PremiumTimes