Prince Abubakar Audu was twice the Governor of Kogi state. His first tenure was from January 1992 until November 1993 and the second from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003. He reportedly died due to a heart attack shortly after the announcement of the election results on the 22nd November, 2015, while seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Prince Abubakar Audu, former Governor of Kogi State 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 rule of Ogbonicha-Alloma in Ofu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
He began his early education at the then N.A. Junior Primary School, Alloma, and later N.A Senior School Ankpa, from where he proceeded to Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. He however completed his Secondary School Education at Jos Commercial College.
From 1975 to 1978, Abubakar Audu proceeded to London where he studied banking and personnel management, obtaining professional qualification as a certified secretary; and a Fellowship of the Association of International Accountants of London, as well as the fellowship of the chartered institute of industrial administration of Nigeria.
Abubakar Audu began his working career by spending a total of 25 years with the First Bank, formerly Standard Bank, where he served in different capacities at management levels until 1991. He made history as the first black training officer for the bank and one of the first black senior management staff of Standard Chartered Bank in London and New York.
He was thereafter appointed Commissioner for Finance and Economic planning in the former Benue State in 1986 serving in this capacity for two years. When that council was dissolved he went back to First Bank of Nigeria Plc as General Manager.
In 1991, Abubakar Audu was appointed Executive Director of FSB International Bank PLC. It was at this point of his career that he got into politics. He thereafter contested in the gubernatorial elections and he won under the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC). He thereby became the first executive Governor of Kogi State in January 1992.
What he will be remembered for
1. He pioneered the construction of the first ultra-modern state liaison office in Abuja.
2. His administration also built an ultra-modern stadium and a five star hotel in Lokoja, the Confluence Beach Hotel.
3. It was during his administration the Obajana Cement Factory was established. The project, which was on going before he left office, attracted the support of the United State Government. During the visit of former President Bill Clinton to Nigeria, the State Government signed the agreement with the US Trade Development Agency (TDA) for a grant to finalize the feasibility work on the project. The cement project is now operational.
4. His administration also witnessed the birth of the Kogi State University, Anyigba. 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.
5. He also saw to the establishment of a television station, radio station, both AM and FM, a state newspaper
6. He transformed the colonial residence of Lord Lugard into an Ultra-Modern Government House Complex, the construction of office blocks for ministries as the new state had no office accommodation.
7. He renamed the Kogi State University after himself, and the rechristening of same as Prince Abubakar Audu University but was changed after his defeat.
8. As a sitting Governor, he was defeated in 2003 when he sought re-election by a virtually unknown businessman; Ibrahim Idris. The populace did not give Abubakar Audu their votes because they were tired of his pride and highhandedness. He had contested the governorship elections in his state eight times.
9. He married his 12th wife named Olivia Audu, a University of Jos undergraduate.
10. He was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), with corruption. He responded to allegations, stating that while he was governor, the state received less than N400million as monthly allocation, and that it would have been impossible to embezzle the N12 billion that the agency claims he did when he received less than N19 billion in total, yet embarked on many projects. The Agency has also changed the figure he allegedly embezzled over the years; previously, they stated N1 billion, later N4 billion, and now, N12 billion.
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