The governor of Kogi State and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state governorship election, Captain Idris Wada, has expressed shock over the demise of his major contender in the poll held last Saturday.
Speaking on the development, Wada stated Kogi was going through “a trying period”.
The governor on Sunday evening announced that he has declared a 7-day mourning period.
Wada wrote on twitter: “My brother and friend, Prince Abubakar Audu is gone. What a trying period for me, my family and our state.”
“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.”
The governor, being the first government official to make public comment on Audu’s death, lend credence to what some people had thought was a fictitious report.
Senator Dino Melaye who also took to Twitter this morning mourned the death of the late Prince.
‘Good night my oga as you exit this sinful world. Adieu The Man.’ He wrote.
Audu, who ran on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was almost close to being declared the winner having polled more votes than Wada in the election.
It, however, ended in impasse as the INEC Returning Officer, Prof Emmanuel Kucha, declared the poll inconclusive because the number of cancelled votes was higher than the margin between the two leading candidates.
Audu secured 240,867 votes and Wada polled 199,514 votes, leaving a difference of41,353. As stated by INEC a total of 49,953 was voided in the election.