The span of mortals is short, the end universal; and the tinge of melancholy which accompanies decline and retirement is in itself an anodyne. It is foolish to waste lamentations upon the closing phase of human life. “Noble spirits yield themselves willingly to the successively falling shades carry them to a better world or to oblivion”.
The news about his ultimate end filtered out like the rumor. Although the social media was awash with the dreadful news about his exit. Many people including my humble self could not believe it. Indeed it was sudden and too shocking to believe. But for real, the Prince on the Niger is no more. I did not initially believe not because Prince Audu was immortal, I doubted the story because his political foes did not wish him well and such news could perhaps have been orchestrated by anti- Audu forces to dispirit his devotees and foment trouble. But alas! It turned out sadly true!
I am a devotee of Prince Audu, an attachment which grew from my admiration for his spectacular success as Governor of Kogi state from 1999-2003. Indeed, before I met and built a close relationship with Prince Audu a little over two years ago, I already knew him by reputation- an astute business man, a consummate politician, a man of his words, a no-nonsense very effective leader, an uncompromising personality, elegant and exquisite in taste, visionary, eminently sociable and a highly organized personality.
Perhaps, it can now be said that Prince Audu was one of the most stormy, controversial yet heroic figure of the present day Africa politics. The man Prince Audu was a very distinguished and interesting man. Never would you find a dull moment in his company.
My encounter and eventual acquaintance with late Prince Audu began with a bill board I did and a piece a wrote and published in a number of national dailies about two years ago. The write up and bill board; “AUDU WHERE ARE YOU?” led me into finding him in his UK home. The piece inspired by the resentment that stemmed from the rot, and eclipse of development in Kogi state conveyed the yearnings of Kogites for Prince Audu return for a rendition of the finest hour of the state that seemed possible only with him.
About a week after the publication, he called me and we spoke at length. He had an uncanny sense of humour. “Wada”, he had said, “my friends all over the world tells me my people are looking for me, is that true?.” Nervously, I replied, “yes, your most Excellency. We need you back to set our affairs straight. In the last 13 years of your absence, our people wail and gnash their teeth from penury, deprivation and degradation. Your legacies of development neglected and abandoned to waste have stubbornly stood up to the test of times. You are the only one we can trust to advance our cause”. He laughed heartily and simply said we shall see and then thanked me. That was the genesis of a relationship that held many promises. A two year relationship that was as if we had known each other forever. He shared many confidences. He was a very experienced man and could hold very interesting conversations if he feels comfortable with the audience.
Prince Audu was a distinguished and widely known man. He was variously misunderstood, especially at the level of his local folks many of whom loved him beyond reason. It was said that he was arrogant, pompous and snobbish. Yes, Prince Audu has his known idiosyncrasies but such depiction of his character was unfair assessment of the man true personality. Of course, he had a sizeable share of unfairness in the hands of this country even it must be recognized that he has long since won a place in the history of leadership and in the affections of many objective men and women across the world.
Prince Audu simply had an unrestrained impatience for hosanna- singers and empty vessels. You needed an extra ounce of energy to convince the man on anything and once convinced, he stayed convinced.
I remember Prince Audu, my great daddy, as a refined gentleman. In all my encounters with him, he never raised his voice against me in condemnation. Once, he invited me over from Abuja to accompany him on a campaign tour to Idah LGA, I was to go on a Monday but failed till Wednesday, on my way, about 30 km into his place Ogbonicha, I learnt he had set out for the campaign at Idah so I called him and he said “Wada, Where are You?”. I told him my location and he said what car was I driving, I told him I was being conveyed on a commercial motorbike. He said “ok, I am waiting for you. Hurry up”. Prince Audu with his mammoth campaign convoy waited for me. Forty minutes, they all waited. I arrived the scene, security operatives accosted me, meaning to drive me away since they obviously were expecting a VIP but the Prince waved his hand directing that I be let through. He showed me to a vehicle and we continued the rest of the journey. Another incident I will also relate was that I was with him in the sitting room of his Ogbonicha home, two of his friends, medical doctors from the US and his running mate, Hon. Falake joined us. When I thought he was going to ask me to leave, beaming with smile and air of pride, he presented me to the three gentlemen. It wasn’t the first time I had been with him while he has been receiving VIPs but what he did on this occasion amazed me. He told the gentlemen, “this is Wada, the author of Audu, where are you? He went on to tell the gentlemen his regard for me and his opinions about me and I sat there all through the rest of the conversation. Well, snubs don’t do that.
Prince Audu was endued with vision, energy, intellect, eloquence and humanity. He exemplified tenacity, wisdom and wit. He had his love for his state and its common, and of course, for the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was a gentleman in all the finer senses of the word. May be not so much a gentleman in terms of style and deportment. He was a bit too flamboyant on that score but in terms of honor and dignity. His kindness was calculated, not always considerate and thoughtful of others to the extent they should get what they deserve, but from the principles of sincerity, honesty and loyalty he remained steadfast. Deceit, intrigue and treachery were alien to his nature. He charted his own course, danced to his own drum and made of his days a memorial to courage and success.
His continued contest for the Kogi seat of power was only because the people believed in him to do what needed to be done. Truly, Audu eyes saws things differently from other people and saw them better. Alive, Audu was a distinction and at death, he turned out more so. His death has not only recorded a score in the annals of political struggle, it has guided lawmakers across the globe into taking a second look at National laws relating to elections.
For such a life, and the man who lived it, we may be truly thankful. Audu is no more, as to my search, “ Audu, where are you?” may our collective prayers find him in peace and mercy in the bossom of the lord of the universe! Amen.
– Musa Wada, the author of ‘Audu, Where Are You?’, writes from Abuja.
