Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has reportedly died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77.
Watch reporters reported on Sunday that sources disclosed the former governor’s death, although further details surrounding the circumstances of his reported passing were still being awaited as of press time.
Idris served as governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2008 and again from 2008 to 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He was succeeded by his brother-in-law, Captain Idris Wada, who assumed office in January 2012.
Born in 1949, Idris hailed from Idah in present-day Kogi State. He began his primary education in Onitsha, Anambra State, before moving to Kano, where he completed his primary schooling.
He later attended King’s Commercial College in Buguma, Rivers State, and subsequently studied at the University of Abuja.
Before entering politics, Idris was a businessman and founded Ibro Trading Company, with interests spanning construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.
He also established a furniture factory in Sokoto and the Ibro Hotel, which biographical accounts describe as one of the earliest three-star hotels in the former Sokoto State.
Idris emerged as the PDP governorship candidate for Kogi State ahead of the 2003 election and defeated the incumbent governor, Prince Abubakar Audu. He was sworn in on May 29, 2003.
He won re-election in 2007, but the result was later nullified following a legal challenge over the exclusion of Audu, the All Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, from the election.
The Court of Appeal upheld the nullification in February 2008 and ordered a fresh election. Idris subsequently contested the March 2008 re-run and was returned as governor, although the result was again challenged by Audu over alleged electoral irregularities.
Idris eventually completed his tenure in January 2012, handing over to Wada.
The former governor also attracted national attention in 2006 when three of his daughters survived the ADC Airlines Flight 53 crash, which claimed several lives. Following the incident, Idris described their survival as a “superlative show of mercy” from God and called for thanksgiving.
In April 2024, Idris suffered another major family loss when his son, Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ankpa, Olamaboro and Omala Federal Constituency, died in Abuja shortly after observing Eid-el-Fitr prayers.
The reported death of the former governor comes months after he was publicly celebrated as he marked his 77th birthday in April 2026.
Further details on his reported death, including an official confirmation from his family, were still being awaited as of press time.
(the watch newspaper)
