Prince Abubakar Audu Biography, Early Life, Political Career, Death and Legacy

Prince Abubakar Audu

Prince Abubakar Audu was a Nigerian politician, banker, and statesman best known as the first elected civilian governor of Kogi State. He governed the state twice, first from January 1992 to November 1993 and again from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2003.

Early Life and Background

He was born in October 1947 in Ogbonicha Alloma, Ofu Local Government Area, in present day Kogi State, into the family of Pa Audu Oyidi, an Igala traditional ruler. Sources differ on whether his birth date was 24 or 27 October, but they agree he was born in October 1947 and came from a prominent royal family.

Education

Prince Abubakar Audu attended N.A. Junior Primary School, Alloma, N.A. Senior School, Ankpa, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, and later Jos Commercial College, where he obtained his GCE qualifications. He later studied banking and personnel management in London and earned professional qualifications in finance and administration.

Career Before Politics

Before politics, he built a long career in banking. Sources describe him as having spent about 25 years in the banking sector, including management roles, before entering public service. He also served as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning in old Benue State from 1986 to 1988.

Political Career

After Kogi State was created in 1991, Audu contested and won the governorship election on the NRC platform, becoming the state’s first executive governor in January 1992. When democracy returned in 1999, he won again and served a second term until 2003.

Achievements and Influence

He is widely remembered as one of the foundational political figures of Kogi State. Recent Kogi State government commemorations credit him with helping establish institutions such as Radio Kogi, Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja, and the university in Anyigba that now bears his name.

Controversies and Legal Issues

After leaving office, Prince Abubakar Audu faced corruption allegations and EFCC prosecution over alleged misappropriation of public funds. Premium Times reported that he was arraigned in 2013 on a 36 count charge involving about ₦10.97 billion, while he denied wrongdoing. These allegations remained a major part of public discussion around his later political life.

2015 Governorship Race

In 2015, Audu returned as the APC governorship candidate in Kogi State and was leading in the election. His sudden death created a major political and legal crisis because the election had not yet been concluded when he died.

Death

Prince Abubakar Audu died on 22 November 2015 in Kogi State, before the final resolution of the 2015 governorship election. Multiple reports said he died of a bleeding ulcer, and his death immediately changed the course of the Kogi election.

Legacy

Prince Abubakar Audu is remembered as one of the most important political figures in Kogi State history. Supporters remember him as a pioneer leader and strong political force, while critics also recall the corruption allegations that followed his years in office. Even so, his name remains deeply tied to the political identity and early development of Kogi State.