National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, on Monday described Abubakar Audu’s death as sorrowful and shocking.
“This is a wrenching loss that saddens me greatly,” Tinubu said in a message personally signed by him.
“Prince Audu’s death reminds us of our mortality. None of us are on this earth forever. While here, we must make positive impact. We must strive towards good.
Recalling his interaction with the man he calls Prince of the Niger, Tinubu wrote: “I first knew Prince Audu Abubakar roughly 30 years. He was a good friend. A good man. Some may not have known this but Prince Audu was a renowned financial expert, well known in banking circles before his entry into politics.
“From banking to politics, Prince Audu became a dominant feature of our national landscape. He was an industrious man and a determined, hardworking leader with few equals. He was consummate in the art of politics. Yet, Audu was also dedicated to the betterment of his people. He was an honorary title holder of Lagos, honoured by the late Oba of Lagos, Oba (Adeyinka) Oyekan.”
While some vilified him, Tinubu said Audu was very kind, generous and at ease with his friends and with the people.
“Audu wanted to make his state a better place. That was his driving concern. His people loved him because of this and he loved them in return. He was a man of great vision, committed to the Nigerian project and committed to the well-being of his people. He loved Kogi passionately.
“As was his character, Prince Audu gave his all during this election campaign because he wanted to move Kogi to a better place.
“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 great leader of men. They have a right to be proud of whom he was.”
Even in his sadness, the astute politician declared: “We celebrate his life and times. Both his deeds and dreams will outlive him no doubt.”
