Unforgotten Hero: Prince Abubakar Audu

Many leaders have come and gone, but not many left enduring legacies, but Prince Abubakar Audu, the former Kogi state governor, left a footprint that is yet unmatched, years after his demise; SUNNY IDACHABA writes.

The story of Kogi state would never be completed anytime it would be told without a mention of the Midas touch the man, Abubakar Audu, did to the birth, growth and development of the state. He was the first executive and democratically-elected governor of the state after its creation in 1991.

Until he died in November 2015, he had governed Kogi twice (within the approved constitutional laws) in the Third and Fourth Republics, precisely from January 1992 to November 1993 and from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2003, on the platform of the defunct All Peoples Party (APP). Just while he was seeking reelection the third time on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015, death came. Audu was widely believed to have won that election having attained marginal votes against his rival, then incumbent governor, Idris Wada. He died due to a bleeding ulcer before the announcement of that election result. 

His death, just before an election result would be announced, sparked up what later came to be a novel legal confusion because that was when it became clear to the drafters of our constitution that there existed a lacuna about how to handle such a situation. Many believed that it was this constitutional loophole that gave Yahaya Bello a chance in Lugard House despite the fact that James Faleke, Audu’s running mate in that election, was standing by. That loophole was later addressed through a constitutional amendment.

A former banker whose banking career lasted for 25 years with First Bank where he rose to executive director position, his stint at public service actually began in 1986, when he was appointed as commissioner for finance and economic planning in the old Benue state. The appointment was like for him a launch pad into public service; therefore it was no longer a surprise when in August 1991 after Kogi state was created from parts of the old Benue and Kwara states, that he indicated to run for the number 1 position in the new state with no visible infrastructure in sight. 

As someone with a taste for excellence and quality service delivery, it never took him long to put infrastructure in place for the fledgling state. For instance, he was quickly able to refurbish the old, abandoned residence of Sir Lord Lugard, the first governor-general of Nigeria into a befitting governor’s lodge, built a befitting state secretariat to accommodate some ministries, within his first tenure too, he established the now abandoned Confluence Beach, a five-star hotel overlooking the River Niger, established the state university in Anyigba, using the existing facilities as well as the state polytechnic in Lokoja.

This is beside the beautiful roundabout and housing estates in the town. He didn’t stop there, the late Prince developed the blueprint for Obajana Cement Factory which is still today one of the leading cement producers in the country. Audu’s achievements within his first tenure are numerous to enumerate.

Prince Audu was responsible for the laying of the infrastructural foundation of the state and was a politician cherished by the Igala people. Audu was a charismatic and flamboyant leader who was never afraid of confronting authorities in his lifetime. For many years, he was the leader of opposition politics in the state who sunk his resources into nurturing parties such as the National Republican Convention, the defunct APP, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN and the All Progressives Congress. 

According to Kingsley Fanwo, a commissioner in the state, “His socio-economic contributions in the state are to date a point of reference to the generality of the people and many aspiring leaders.”

In the view of Abdullahi Haruna Haruspice, a media personality, Audu fondly called ‘Adoja’ was not just a governor but a political colossus whose vision, determination and achievements continue to define modern governance in Kogi state. 

“His legacy transcends the ordinary, reflecting a life of audacious leadership, infrastructural transformation and mentorship that reshaped the political landscape of the state and set it on the path of progress.”

He said under the leadership of Audu, the state was transformed from a fledgling entity into a beacon of development. 

“Audu understood the importance of laying a solid foundation for growth and he did so with zeal, introducing groundbreaking policies and implementing projects that rekindled hope for a prosperous future.

“Perhaps, his most enduring legacy was his infrastructural revolution that set the state on the path of development. Beyond his developmental strides, Prince Audu was a political juggernaut as his influence extended beyond Kogi state, shaping political dynamics at the national level with a unique charisma and foresight coupled with the ability to rally people around his vision.” 

He said nine years after the late prince passed on to glory; his memory continues to inspire hope and determination in the hearts of many. “His life serves as a reminder of what is possible when visionary leadership meets unwavering commitment to service. He was a man ahead of his time, whose ideas and actions continue to shape the future of Kogi state and Nigeria.”

He said the life of Prince Audu is a call to action for leaders and citizens to embrace the values of excellence, service, and innovation. 

“As we remember Prince Abubakar Audu, we celebrate not just his life but the enduring impact of his vision and leadership. In every sense, Prince Abubakar Audu lives on, a beacon of hope and a symbol of the boundless possibilities of transformative governance. Even though nine years may have passed, the memory of Prince Abubakar Audu remains as vivid as ever. His contributions to Kogi state and Nigeria are a testament to the power of visionary leadership and the enduring legacy of a life well-lived.”

Also, while writing about the late former Kogi governor, a former student of Kogi State University, Anyigba now a public commentator, Ayuba Momoh said the late Audu was an undisputed leader of the Igala race and a colossus who was regarded by many as the most known politician from the state. 

Reflecting on the seventh year anniversary of his passage, Momoh noted that, “As his followers mark seven years after his demise, Prince Abubakar Audu’s evergreen development strides that enhanced the state comes to mind and how his sudden death truncated much imminent progresses that would have upgraded the state beyond the present reality.”

He said many of his supporters helped out of their possessions to finance his campaigns with the hope of being compensated with an appointment, but noted sadly that his demise however brought down all those expectations.

“When news about his death filtered in, newspaper, radio and television houses became a melting point that supporters turned to for information about the supposed resurrection of Adoja. Rumour mongers spread the heated news that late Audu had resurrected from the dead, which made many youths to dance in and out of Ogbonicha, his home town to celebrate the news. Unfortunately, the rumours turned out to be false and Prince Audu was laid to rest according to Islamic rites.

“This prince of Ogbonicha, fondly called Adoja (servant of the people) was unarguably an enigma who rode Kogi state politics like a true hero. Every day is significant, which is an offshoot of tomorrow’s today. The late Adoja was a passionate leader that has the interest of the common man in his heart. During his tenure as a governor, many infrastructures were constructed that brought a lot of development in the state.

“While as an undergraduate at Kogi State University, I set my eyes on every project constructed by the late Audu which made me to realise and be impressed to see his evergreen projects compared to others in other states. All his projects in the state had a unique touch of high standards which still stand tall in the state today. He choose a most beautiful site for the state university, a former agric project office, which he rapidly built up with more facilities. When he was criticised for naming the state university after himself, he pointed out that Ahmadu Bello University was also named after its founder. 

“A fearless and astute leader, Audu’s demise confused the state, the electoral commission and the legal community where reputable and senior advocates argued the circumstance of the 2015 gubernatorial election in Kogi state. The likes of late Abubakar Audu is rare to come by, but let me say to the young people of Kogi state, you can make your life to reflect his personality by making him happy in his present abode.”

The ability of Prince Abubakar Audu to connect with people from all walks of life made him a beloved figure, not only in Kogi state, but generally across the country and his legacy as a leader of the people remains unmatched. This is why from every indication today, he remains an unforgettable hero.