By Patrick Idowu
A man identified as Alhaji Yusuf Saleh Ashafa slumped and died on Wednesday morning at the venue of the All Progressives Congress (APC), primary election held to affirm the candidacy of the incumbent Chairman of Abaji Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Abubakar Umar Abdullahi.
The incident occurred at Abaji Science Primary School, which served as the venue of the election.
Eyewitnesses said the deceased, a close ally of the council chairman, had driven himself to the venue but collapsed as he stepped out of his car.
“He drove himself here, but just as he was getting out of the vehicle, he collapsed and that was the end,” said one witness, Kabiru.
Ashafa was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed him dead on arrival. Witnesses noted that he appeared healthy before the sudden incident.
The deceased, a native of Abaji, was said to be one of the sons of the late prominent politician, Alhaji Saleh Ashafa.
His death has drawn condolences from across the political circle, with the council chairman and several aides reportedly visiting the family to commiserate with them.
Alhaji Mohammed Inuwa Ashafa, the elder brother of the deceased, confirmed the tragic development to newsmen.
