Audu’s death: Rival groups storm APC headquarters

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Two rival groups stormed the headquarters of the All Progressives Congress in Abuja on Friday to demand that the party consider their benefactors as beneficiaries of the mandate given to the late APC governorship candidate in last week’s election, Prince Abubakar Audu.

One of the groups is rooting for Audu’s son, Mohammed, while the other is seeking the endorsement of James Falake, Audu’s running mate during the governorship election.

The protesters arrived at the party’s secretariat separately in more than eight chartered commercial buses, singing solidarity songs and displaying placards with inscriptions stating opposing views.

Faleke’s supporters, who were the first to arrive, had some of their placards reading: “James Abiodun Faleke, our governor Jan. 2016”, “INEC, Please declare Faleke winner”, “Oyegun, fear God”, “No political cheating”, and “Don’t steal a deceased’s mandate.”

The group was led by Jibrin Yusuf, who read a statement signed by a former acting Governor of Kogi State, Clearance Obafemi.

He urged the party not to compensate those who worked against the interest of the party during the polls.

Yusuf said, “Also very well known is the fact that the APC governorship mandate is jointly held by the late Prince Abubakar Audu and Hon. Abiodun James Faleke, and the more than 240, 000 votes given by the good people of Kogi State are for the two of them. Now, Biodun Faleke is still alive.”

The group said it recognised the fact that our electoral laws and the Constitution did not envisage the quagmire the state found itself in but that it was also aware that the choice of a candidate for any election is the sole responsibility of the party.

Mohammed’s supporters also protested at the party’s headquarters, demanding that he should be allowed to step into the shoes of his late father.

Spokesman for the group, Mr. Solomon Ogbadu, said they were at the party’s headquarters to inform leaders of their choice and the reason for making it. He explained that it was in the interest of peace and justice to allow Mohammed replace his father.

Ogbadu said, “Without the late Prince Abubakar Audu, our late political Icon, there will be no APC in Kogi today.”

Source: Punch