Ex-Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris Dies at 77 as Ododo Declares Three-Day Mourning

State Mourning and Tributes Following Death at 77

Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who served as the governor of Kogi State, has died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77, according to Sundiata Post and AIT.live. His nephew, Shehu Ahmed, confirmed the death to AIT.live.

Following the announcement, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo declared a three-day mourning period across the state. Governor Ododo directed that national and state flags fly at half-mast at all government offices and designated public institutions, according to New Telegraph.

The state government announced that the former governor will receive a full state burial, with the administration taking charge of all expenses and logistical arrangements Kogi Reports. Governor Ododo, alongside former Governor Yahaya Bello, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Abdullahi Bello, and other top government officials, visited the Abuja residence of the late leader to commiserate with his family Sundiata Post.

Special Adviser on Public Relations and Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Yahaya Bello, Onogwu Muhammed, shared details and photographs of the high-level delegation's visit on social media Sundiata Post. In an official statement issued in Lokoja by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, the state formally recorded its profound sorrow Kogi Reports.

Political Career and Electoral History

Ibrahim Idris entered office in May 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), after defeating the incumbent, Prince Abubakar Audu AIT.live. His tenure as governor involved prolonged legal battles regarding subsequent elections.

While New Telegraph and Kogi Reports reference his administration spanning 2003 to 2011, and Sundiata Post and AIT.live note his departure in January 2012 after nearly nine years in power, specific electoral disputes shaped his time in office. Idris was re-elected in 2007, but the courts nullified the outcome due to the exclusion of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate, Abubakar Audu AIT.live. Following a Court of Appeal ruling in February 2008, a fresh re-run election took place in March 2008, which Idris won to return to office AIT.live.

Milestone / Event	Details
Birth Year and Place	1949, Idah, Kogi State AIT.live
Age at Death	77 years old Sundiata Post
Place of Death	United Kingdom Sundiata Post
Political Party	Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) AIT.live
Governorship Tenure	2003–2012 (including 2008 re-run) Sundiata Post, AIT.live
Immediate Successor	Captain Idris Wada AIT.live

Upon completing his tenure in January 2012, Idris was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Captain Idris Wada AIT.live. Governor Ododo noted that the former governor's administration left a lasting impact through critical interventions in infrastructure, education, and healthcare New Telegraph, Kogi Reports.

Business Background and Personal History

Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris established himself as a prominent businessman before entering politics AIT.live. He founded Ibro Trading Company, with business interests encompassing construction, furniture manufacturing, and hospitality AIT.live. His commercial ventures included establishing a furniture factory in Sokoto and the Ibro Hotel AIT.live.

Idris experienced several notable personal trials outside of his political career. In 2006, three of his daughters survived the crash of ADC Airlines Flight 53, an aviation disaster that resulted in multiple fatalities AIT.live. More recently, in April 2024, the former governor mourned the death of his son, Mohammed Ibrahim Idris—a former member of the House of Representatives for the Ankpa-Olamaboro-Omala Federal Constituency—who died in Abuja following Eid-el-Fitr prayers AIT.live.

Next Steps

With the three-day state mourning period underway, national and state flags will continue to fly at half-mast across Kogi State public institutions New Telegraph, Kogi Reports. The Kogi State Government is coordinating the logistical arrangements for the forthcoming state burial Kogi Reports, while family members, associates, and political leaders await further announcements regarding funeral rites.