Oshiomhole, OkorochaShocked Over Audu's Death

Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole has joined the growing numbers of prominent Nigerians who have been mourning the sudden death of Prince Abubakar Audu, the All Progressives Congress gubernatorial candidate in the November 21 election in Kogi state.
The Oshiomhole described the death of Audu as rude shock to him as a time him(Oshiomhole) and other party members were planning to celebrate his unassailable lead at the polls which was adjudged inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The governor made this known in a statement released by his chief press secretary, Peter Okhiria saying: “I received with shock, the sad news of the death of Prince Abubakar Audu, candidate of our great party in the Kogi state gubernatorial election.

“I was with Prince Audu just a few days ago, at the mega rally of our great party, where we marketed our party’s manisfesto to the electorate and he looked hale and hearty as he dished out his plans to restore the glory of his state.
“His death, coming just as we were getting ready to celebrate his unassailable lead at the polls, is a sad reminder on the transience of life.
“There is no doubt that Kogi state has lost a gentleman, a certified performer whose legacies as a first-term Governor remain unmatched in the state.”
The Edo state chief executive added that the deceased left his mark in the sand of time as he brought development to his state and impacted live of his people.

In a related development, Governor Rochas Okorocha has expressed his feeling over the death of the APC governorship candidate saying that Audu ‘s death left  him in shock noting that the death showed  the limitation of human beings.
Okorocha in a  condolence message made through  his media aide, Samuel Onwuemeodo said that ‘We are all pencils in the hand of the creator’.
He explained that the death of Audu came when it was least expected but noted that God’s knew  why it happened.
Meanwhile, the Senate president, Bukola Saraki in his message on Twitter message  over the sudden death of the governor  said: “I pray Allah grants Aljanah Firdaus to the soul of the deceased, and the family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.”

AUDU'S DEATH: Buhari Condoles With Kogi People

President Muhammadu Buhari has today, Monday, November 23, revealed that the news of the death of Audu Abubakar, the All Progressives Congress’ guber candidate in Kogi got him devastated.
According to The Punch, Buhari said this in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.
The president who received the news in shock was quoted as saying: “We are obviously devastated at the loss. He was immensely courageous.” 

Describing the deceased as a talented politician, a loving family head and a respected community leader, the president sympathized with the family of Audu, the government and people of Kogi State as well as all APC members who had expectations of him returning as the new governor of the state. Declaring him the favorite of the people in the inconclusive election, Buhari prayed to Allah to repose his soul and to give his family and the entire Kogi people the fortitude to bear his loss.
The 68-year-old former governor at the time of his death was the governorship flag bearer of the APC in Kogi. He is survived by wives and children. Prayers preceding his burial are ongoing presently and you can check out live updates on the burial proceedings here

UPDATE: Dangote Not Among 170 Held Hostage By Terrorists

Contrary to earlier reports that Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man was in a five-star hotel in Mali, where 170 people are being held hostage, the rich business mogul is reported to be in Lagos.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, the gunmen attacked Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali’s capital, Bamako, today, Friday, November 20 and about 170 are being held hostage. The gunmen who shouted “Allahu Akbar” opened fire outside the hotel before storming it.
A business owner, Garba Konate, who spoke to Al Jazeera, said the group of attackers showed up about three hours earlier.
About 10 gunmen arrived early in the morning and shot all the guards in front of the Radisson. I started hearing gunshots coming from the hotel,” said Ibrahim, 28, who works at a cultural centre 40 metres away. Soon after I saw one of the guards running out, injured… The security guard told me the shooters were so quick that he doesn’t even know how many came in,” he told Al Jazeera.