Probe Audu’s death, Ogunlewe urges FG

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A former Minister of Works, Chief Adeseye Ogunlewe, has called on the Federal Government to begin a full-scale investigation into the death of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Kogi State election, Prince Abubakar Audu.

Audu, who was on the verge of winning the election, reportedly died of a heart attack on Sunday.

Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, Ogunlewe said the circumstances surrounding the death of Audu should not be ignored.

The one-term senator said it was wrong to bury Audu without carrying out a proper investigation to determine if there was foul play.

He said, “There must be an investigation into Audu’s death. He cannot die in vain. There must be an investigation into the matter. Are there no hospitals in Nigeria that can conduct an autopsy?

“I suspect foul play because the man was not sick. Didn’t he have doctors? Someone was about to win an election and he died mysteriously? Who was with him when he died? People should ask questions. The matter must be investigated. There must be an autopsy report.”

Meanwhile, Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has denied reports that he accused the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, of causing Audu’s death.

Okorocha said in a statement by his Special Assistant on lnformation and Communications Technology, Ik Ogbonna, that the report was a product of the imagination of the writer.

The Imo governor, who is the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, stated that there was no way he would have spoken on the death of Audu in the manner which he was quoted as saying.

The statement read in part, “Governor Okorocha spent the better part of Sunday – till about 7pm – chairing a stakeholders’ forum of South-East leaders and returned to Owerri on the same night. So where and when did he grant the interview which was trending on the same night on social media?

“The family of Prince Audu has not blamed anyone for the death of their son and Okorocha is not a member of the Audu family.

“The story was written as an interview Governor Okorocha purportedly granted and yet no medium was mentioned. Can one grant an interview to the air?

“The purported interview is the wicked machinations of people who are envious of the towering profile of Governor Okorocha. It is aimed at putting him at loggerheads with leaders of the party, especially Senator Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State and a man Governor Okorocha holds in very high esteem.”

Okorocha’s aide said investigation showed that the report was fabricated by a supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party on the social media.

In a separate statement, Tinubu mourned the deceased Kogi governorship candidate.

The APC chieftain said he knew Audu for about 30 years before his demise. Tinubu described Audu as an astute businessman and politician who had the best interest of the people of Kogi at heart.

He said Audu’s death, which occurred on the verge of his victory at the poll, was evidence that God decides the fate of men.

The statement read, “The sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu is sorrowful and shocking. He died before his time. This is a wrenching loss that saddens me greatly. Prince Audu’s death reminds us of our mortality. None of us will be on this earth forever. While here, we must make positive impact. We must strive to do good.

“I met Prince Audu roughly 30 years ago. He was a good friend and a good man. Some may not have known this but Prince Audu was a renowned financial expert who was well known in the banking sector before his entry into politics.

“From banking to politics, Prince Audu became an important personality. He was an industrious man and a determined, hardworking leader with a few equals. He was consummate in the art of politics. Audu was also dedicated to the betterment of his people.”

Tinubu condoled with the family of the deceased and said that Audu’s dream of a better Kogi would not die.

He also sympathised with the people of Kogi, adding that Audu would be remembered forever.

Tinubu added, “His death is painful and has stunned us, his friends, political associates and particularly his family. My heart reaches out to his loved ones. My prayers are with them. May God comfort them as only He can during this sad period. And may they take solace in the fact that Prince Audu was an outstanding figure and a great leader of men. They have a right to be proud of him.

“We must serve his memory well by continuing to serve the people and by carrying on as he would want us to do. We celebrate his life and times. Both his deeds and dreams will outlive him.”

Source: Punch