It was learnt that Akawu died in a hospital on Friday morning after a brief illness.

A candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for Pengana Constituency in Plateau State House of Assembly, Mathew Akawu has passed away.

Punch reported that Akawu died in a hospital on Friday morning after a brief illness.

A family source who confirmed the development told The PUNCH in Jos on Friday said that the former school principal died a few hours after returning from a traditional festival in his Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

The family member said, “It’s true that we lost the PDP candidate this Friday morning .

“He went for their traditional festival in Bassa and came back. But shortly afterwards, he fell sick and complained of chest pain.

“He was then rushed to the hospital and early this morning on Friday he just died.”

His political associate and lawmaker representing Jos South Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Fom Gwottson, described the PDP candidate’s death as shocking

Gwottson said, “From the various interactions we had together, he was a gentleman and somebody who loved his people. It’s unfortunate that we lost him at this time. We will surely miss him and may God rest his soul.”

The PDP candidate’s death brings to two the number of candidates who have died in the state ahead of the forthcoming general elections