By Habeeb Ibrahim
Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who died at 77, spent years in business before becoming one of the state’s longest-serving governors.
Idris died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, according to reports from his family.
Born in 1949 in Idah, present-day Kogi State, Idris built a business career before entering politics. He established Ibro Trading Company and had interests in furniture manufacturing, construction and hospitality.
He later joined the Peoples Democratic Party and contested the Kogi governorship election in 2003, defeating the incumbent governor, Abubakar Audu.
Idris was sworn in on May 29, 2003, and remained in office until January 2012, although his tenure was interrupted by an electoral dispute.
He won the 2007 governorship election, but the result was nullified after a legal challenge linked to the exclusion of Audu from the ballot.
A rerun was held in March 2008, which Idris won, allowing him to return to office.
His tenure was eventually brought to an end after the Supreme Court ruled in January 2012 that the period he had already spent in office counted towards his constitutionally permitted tenure.
As governor, Idris’ administration was associated with projects in infrastructure, education and healthcare, including the Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, Lokoja International Market, Confluence Stadium and the Kogi State Specialist Hospital.
After leaving office, he remained active in the Peoples Democratic Party and Kogi politics.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a condolence message on Monday, described Idris as a committed public servant whose years in office formed an important chapter in Kogi State’s political and developmental history.
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has declared three days of mourning and announced that Idris will receive a state burial.
