Former Kogi state governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has died at the age of 77 in the United Kingdom. His death was confirmed by his nephew, Shehu Ahmed, although the cause of death and burial arrangements have not been disclosed. Idris, popularly known as "Ibro", was a prominent figure in Kogi state politics since Nigeria's return to democratic rule in 1999. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo declared three days of mourning and announced a state burial for the former governor.
Ibrahim Idris was born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, and began his primary education in Onitsha, Anambra State, before moving to Kano. He attended King's Commercial College in Buguma, Rivers State, and obtained a bachelor's degree in Law from the University of Abuja. Before entering politics, Idris established himself in business, founding Ibro Trading Company and investing in construction, furniture manufacturing, property, and hospitality, particularly in Sokoto state.
Idris's entry into politics began with his joining of the Peoples Democratic Party, after which he contested and won the 2003 Kogi State governorship election, defeating incumbent governor Prince Abubakar Audu. His victory marked the beginning of nearly nine years as governor of Kogi state. During his administration, his government implemented several projects, including the Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, Lokoja International Market, Confluence Stadium, housing projects, and the Specialist Hospital in Lokoja.
The 2007 governorship election proved to be a defining moment in Idris's career, as the election was nullified due to the exclusion of Abubakar Audu from the ballot. A rerun election was conducted in 2008, which Idris won, and he returned to office. However, the election was challenged by Audu, and the legal battle continued through the tribunal and Court of Appeal, ultimately resulting in Idris retaining his office.
Idris's final battle in office centered on the length of his tenure, as some governors argued that their constitutional four-year tenure should begin afresh from the date they took the new oath of office after the 2007 elections were annulled. The Supreme Court ruled on January 27, 2012, that the affected governors, including Idris, had overstayed their constitutionally permitted tenure, and he left office shortly after.
Assessments of Idris's years in office have focused on physical infrastructure and human development, with supporters highlighting achievements such as the Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, International Market, Confluence Stadium, Specialist Hospital, housing projects, road construction, and investments in education. A 2018 retrospective credited his administration with constructing primary school blocks, workers' housing, and dualising major roads in Lokoja.
The legacy of Idris's administration also includes claims about his handling of workers' welfare, with supportive accounts stating that he cleared inherited salary arrears and prioritized regular payment of workers during his tenure. These claims are primarily from retrospective accounts sympathetic to his administration. Idris's contributions to Kogi state's development have been acknowledged by the state government, which highlighted his interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other critical sectors.
Key points
- Former Kogi state governor Ibrahim Idris has died at the age of 77 in the United Kingdom.
- Idris served as governor of Kogi state for nearly nine years, implementing several projects and developments in the state.
- The Supreme Court ruling in 2012 ended Idris's tenure as governor, clarifying how governors' tenure should be calculated after an election is nullified and a fresh poll conducted.
