Abubakar Audu

Audu died of a bleeding ulcer on 22 November 2015, shortly before the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the Kogi State gubernatorial election as inconclusive. He had recorded more votes than his opponent in the elections but due to the dilemma created by his sudden death, his party APC, chose the runner up of the primary elections, Yahaya Bello, as the candidate to replace him.

In 2012, Audu contested against a newcomer to the field, Captain Idris Ichalla Wada, and was defeated by another election allegedly fraught with fraud. The result of the particular election were allegedly announced while collation was still ongoing.

Audu contested in the 2003 Kogi State gubernatorial elections but lost. In the 2007 election, Audu was again defeated due mainly to resentment created by his dictatorial and authoritarian style exhibited during his previous tenure as governor of the state and the incumbent, Ibrahim Idris, was reelected. Audu went to the election tribunal who nullified that election, and ordered fresh elections. Audu again contested against Ibrahim Idris, and again was defeated.

When Audu left office in 2003, he was charged by Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with corruption. This case has been on for twelve years and many say it was coined as an attempt by the ruling PDP to smear Audu's image, especially in light of the achievements recorded during his tenure.

In 1998, democracy was again re-introduced and Audu, now with the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), was elected again with over 700,000 votes. He was sworn in on 29 May 1999, during the 1999 Kogi State gubernatorial election as the 2nd Executive Governor of Kogi State.

The establishment of a state university, Kogi State University Anyigba, is another testimony to the vision and resourcefulness. The foundation stone was laid on 30 November 1999, when former President Olusegun Obasanjo, visited the state. About a year later, the president returned to Anyigba during a state visit to commission the university complex. According to a report of a visitation panel to the university from the Nigeria University Commission, the institution was then described as the fastest growing university in the country. The university received tremendous international support, which included an affiliation programme with Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland. Also, seven visiting professors from various universities in the United States were at the university to review its curriculum and align it with their own universities and prepare the students for exchange programme to give the university an international acceptability.

He was also named the best governor in the 1999-2003 dispensation, despite being a governor on the platform of the opposition, the ANPP.

A highly traveled politician, Audu brought so many honors to the country through his personal relationships with foreign statesmen. He enjoyed a relationship with the former British Prime Minister, John Major. In 1993, he and the member of his family were special guests of the British Prime Minister at No. 10 Downing Street where he hosted them to a state banquet. Also in 1993, he attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Cyprus. His connection with the international community saved Nigeria during the heady days of Shonekan administration from economic embargo. In December 1999, he was on the delegation of President Olusegun Obasanjo during the state visit to Germany.

Audu's banking career lasted for a total of 25 years, which he spent with First Bank - formerly known as Standard Bank. Here, he served in various capacities at management level until 1991. He also made history as the bank's first training officer of African descent and also as one of the first black senior management staff of Standard Chartered Bank in London and New York.

In 1991, he was appointed Executive Director of FSB International Bank PLC.

In August 1991, Kogi state was created from parts of the old Benue and Kwara states. This coincided with one of Nigeria's many previous encounters with democracy, and Audu, being part of those who had advocated for the creation of the state and a notable son of the soil, was invited to contest for governorship. He contested on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC) and won the election held in November, 1991. He was subsequently sworn in as the first executive governor of Kogi state in January 1992.

Audu's public service began in 1986, when he was appointed as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in the old Benue state. He served in this capacity until 1988 when the cabinet was dissolved. He then returned to First Bank of Nigeria PLC as a General Manager.

After a stint as a bank worker, Audu later proceeded to London from 1975-1978 where he studied banking and personnel management, obtaining professional qualification as a certified secretary, and as a Fellow of the Association of International Accountants of London, as well as fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Industrial Administration of Nigeria.

Prince Abubakar Audu listen (24 October 1947 – 22 November 2015) was a Nigerian career banker and politician who was the first civilian governor of Kogi State. He ruled Kogi State twice (first in the Third Republic and second, in the Fourth Republic). His first tenure was from January 1992 until November 1993 and the second from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003. He died due to a bleeding ulcer shortly after the announcement of the election results on 22 November 2015, while seeking to be re-elected as governor on the platform of Nigeria's ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC).

Audu was born on 27 October 1947, to the family of his Royal Highness, the late Pa Audu Oyidi, Orego Atta of Igala Land and the paramount ruler of Ogbonicha-Alloma in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.