Nearly ten years after his sudden death shook Kogi State’s political landscape, the government has set machinery in motion to immortalize the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the state’s first civilian governor and one of its most iconic political figures.
On Friday, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by the APC State Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, inaugurated a 13-member committee to organize a 10th-year memorial programme in Audu’s honour.
The committee is chaired by Deputy Governor Comrade Joel Salifu, with Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Ozigi Mamodu Deedat, as secretary. Other members include politicians, technocrats, family representatives, and academics, underscoring the broad reach of Audu’s influence across Kogi.
Bello said the memorial is not just about nostalgia but about recognising a man whose vision and leadership helped shape modern Kogi.
“This great leader devoted his life to the service of our state and beyond. Nearly ten years later, his disciples and indeed the state have resolved to honour him with this anniversary,” Bello said.
For many Kogites, Prince Audu represents more than a past leader; he is remembered as a symbol of ambition and development whose legacy still defines political discourse in the state.
Accepting the assignment, Deputy Governor Salifu assured that the committee would deliver a befitting programme.
“We will work with all stakeholders to ensure a smooth and successful memorial. The event will be a tribute worthy of the late Prince,” he pledged.
Prince Audu, fondly called the “Lion of Kogi politics,” passed away in November 2015 while leading in the state’s governorship election. His death not only altered the trajectory of Kogi’s politics but also left an enduring mark on Nigeria’s democratic memory.
The planned memorial is expected to rekindle debates about his legacy, his unfinished political mission, and the values he stood for.