Benue State has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) governorship aspirant in the state, Mr. Jonathan Biam.

Biam, a retired Director of Police Pension before his death, had indicated interest to contest the 2011 gubernatorial election against Governor Gabriel Suswam on the platform of All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and had put his campaign posters and billboards all over major cities in the state before his death.

Many people were shocked on hearing the news of his death.

A source who spoke to The Nation on the condition of anonymity said he had bought and returned his party nomination form at the ANPP national secretariat in Abuja before his demise.

When the news of the sudden death of the aspirant filtered into Makurdi, many residents were seen in groups discussing what they described as an unfortunate incident.

Even before he joined the governorship race after retirement from the Federal Civil Service as a director, Police Pension Board in Lagos, rumours were rife that Mr. Biam was ill.

He was last seen recently in his country home in ZakiBiam Ukum Local Government where a reception was held in his honour by his kinsmen.

A member of the Biam family who pleaded anonymity told The Nation that the ANPP aspirant died last Thursday evening in Abuja shortly after he returned from exercising himself.

" He returned from joggling and complained of illness, he was rushed to a hospital in Abuja where he passed away after a while," the source said.