The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Audu’s Son

  • Audu’s son may join Kogi race

    The son of former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu, Mohammed, is warming up for the November 16 governorship poll in the Confluence State, it was learnt at the weekend.

    Many indigenes, including traditional rulers, All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains, businessmen, women and youths are rooting for him, a source said.

    A key factor in his ambition is the poor perception of many Kogites about the performance of Governor Yahaya Bello, who has been swimming in the pool of controversy in the last three and half years.

    No fewer then 42 aspirants are fighting for the ticket on the platform of the APC. All of them, except the governor, are calling for the adoption of direct primary for the shadow poll.

    Mohammed, said the source, has a reserviour of goodwill among the people who felt that death robbed his father of the crown in 2015 when he was coasting home to victory.

    Although the election has been nearly concluded, the announcement of the winner was put on hold, following Audu’s sudden passage.

    Audu’s running mate, House of Representatives member, James Faleke, who should have been declared governor-elect was also denied in favour of a former aspirant, Bello, who never worked for the party during the election.

    While many Kogites were disposed to the emergence of Mohammed as running mate to Faleke, it never happened.

    Following his emergence as governor, Bello has consistently sidelined Faleke and Mohammed, to the consternation of the Kogi APC family.

    A Kogi politician said Mohammed is fit for governor. “His father’s structure is still intact. It is a formidable structure. Also, Mohammed  has conducted himself as a well-educated and highly-responsible person. He is as hardworking as his father,” he added.

    Mohammed is of the Igala ethnic stock, which accounts for 49 per cent of the population. The ethnic group is still aggrived about the post-Audu drama, characterised by serious manipulations and schemings.

    Mohammed has not declared any intention. But, many are anticipating his declaration, which may take place, following the conclusion of consultations.

    According to the source: “We know that he is a good candidate, a candidate to beat, if he agrees to run. The opinion in the state is that the governor should not be given a second term. Many believe that Mohammed will be a credible replacement to ward off the threats by the PDP in the state.”

  • Kogi: DSS detains, releases Faleke, Audu’s son

    Kogi: DSS detains, releases Faleke, Audu’s son

    The Department of State Security (DSS) yesterday quizzed Hon. James Faleke, the running mate to the late Prince Abubakar Audu in the November 21 governorship election in Kogi State.

    Also quizzed by the DSS at its Abuja Headquarters was Audu’s eldest son, Mohammed.

    They were both released afterward.

    Faleke confirmed the meeting last night but said it was ‘a normal invitation’ that lasted under one hour.

    Faleke said the invitation had nothing to do with the case he instituted over the decision of this party, All Progressives Congress (APC) to bypass him and pick Alhaji Yahaya Bello as candidate in the rerun election.

    A source said the DSS invitation might not be unconnected with statements credited to Faleke that he would be unavailable for swearing-in as deputy to Bello on January 27.

    He says he is the rightful person to step into Audu’s shoes following the latter’s death while on the verge of being declared winner of the November election.

    News of the DSS invitation of Faleke and Mohammed Audu yesterday had sparked fresh tension in the state as residents were unsure of the reason for the security agency’s action.

  • Kogi APC lawmakers want Audu’s son to replace deceased dad

    Kogi APC lawmakers want Audu’s son to replace deceased dad

    Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Kogi State House of Assembly yesterday told the national leadership of the party that they would not hesitate to impeach anyone brought in as a replacement for the late governorship candidate of the party, Prince Abubakar Audu, if the party failed to pick his first son, Mohammed.

    Addressing a news conference after a meeting with the national leadership, spokesman of the legislators, Alfa Momoh Rabiu representing Ankpa 2 Constituency, said they had collectively resolved that Mohammed Audu should replace his father as the candidate of the party.

    The lawmakers spoke as supporters of Hon James Abiodun Faleke practically paralysed activities around the national secretariat for several hours as they sang and dance with placards, demanding that Faleke be made the substantive replacement for the late Audu.

    Rabiu who claimed that their position had the backing of all National Assembly members from the state, members of the state executive of the party and other APC leaders in the state however said that they were not asking Faleke to abandon the ticket, but should remain deputy to Mohammed Audu.

    He said: “Based on our discussion, we have taken a decision and taken our resolution to the national chairman. We are overwhelmed by the response from them, but we are still waiting for a safe landing so that Kogi will not be doomed.

    “We told the national chairman that on no account should anybody be smuggled in to occupy that position which we worked for in conjunction with the late Audu, without who there will be no APC in Kogi State.

    “We present to the national leadership, Prince Mohammed Audu, to replace his late father. It is not because he is the first son, but try him, he is very intelligent and equal to the task. With him, we will have the Kogi of our dream.

    “We also resolved and we will appreciate if the leadership will understand that we came to complain to them with pains and tell them our position because of the commitment of our leader and we don’t want Kogi to be left in the hands of the PDP any longer.

    “We are the legislators and have told the national chairman our position that in case anybody is smuggled in contrary to what we present to them, we know the best way to remove him.

    “It is not a threat, but we told them that we have no intention of washing our dirty linen in public. Removing somebody is just a two minutes job for us as lawmakers in the state.

    “We want the change we worked for and we want Kogi to be part of the moving train.

    “We are the electorate and we know why we are here. There will be no solution to this problem without giving us listening ear. Prince Audu was the man who went through primary before nominating Faleke as his deputy.

    “We are not asking Faleke to stay away from the ticket. We equally worked with him during the campaigns. What we are saying is that it should be Mohammed Audu/Faleke ticket. The two of them must work together.”

    However, supporters of Hon. Faleke who were also at the national secretariat said the best thing to do in the circumstance was to allow Faleke to step into Audu’s shoes, having been voted for alongside the late Audu.

    In a letter to the National Working Committee on behalf of APC from Kogi West, signed by former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Clarence Olafemi, the Faleke supporters said they were opposed to giving the ticket to anyone who has not laboured for it, adding that Faleke should be allowed to carry on in the spirit if equity, fairness and justice.

  • Kogi East nominates Audu’s son as APC guber candidate

    Kogi East nominates Audu’s son as APC guber candidate

    Leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Kogi East Senatorial District has nominated Mr Mohammed, 43, first son of Late Prince Abubakar Audu, to replace him as the party’s governorship candidate.

    The leaders, stakeholders and delegates who made this known in Lokoja on Thursday after a marathon meeting, said they arrived at the decision after due consultations .

    Their spokesman, Mr Daniel Isah, the Vice Chairman of APC in Kogi East, said they have resolved and are determined to back Mohammed to replace his father if the National Working Committee orders fresh primaries.

    Isah thanked the Independent National Electoral Commission and the national leadership of the party for the opportunity given to them to find a replacement for Audu who died on Nov. 23 at Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government.

    He appealed to the national leadership of the party to give their decision utmost consideration and approval in the overall interest of the party and the state.

    Present at the meeting were Alhaji Lincho Ocheje, Hon. Hassan Omale, Hon. Benjamin Ikhani, and Sen. Emmanuel Dangana, among others.

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