Ebenezer Adurokiya, Reporting
FORMER Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, popularly known as “Ibro”, has reportedly died, with the claim generating reactions across political circles and among residents who followed his long career in public service.
However, as of the time of filing this report, Stonix News could not independently verify the reported death through an official statement from the family, the Kogi State Government or another authoritative source.
Idris, born in 1949, was a businessman and politician who served as governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2012, with an interruption following the nullification of his 2007 election.
He was elected governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and assumed office on May 29, 2003, succeeding Prince Abubakar Audu.
His first tenure ended in February 2008 after his 2007 re-election was nullified following a legal challenge. A re-run election was subsequently held on March 29, 2008, which Idris won, allowing him to return to office and continue until January 2012.
He was succeeded by Captain Idris Wada.
Across his two periods in office, Idris governed Kogi for almost nine years, making him one of the longest-serving civilian governors in the state’s democratic history.
His administration was associated with a number of infrastructure and institutional projects across the state, including the International Market, Specialist Hospital, Confluence Stadium, Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, housing projects, road construction and improvements to primary school infrastructure.
His government also supported the development of Kogi State University, Anyigba, including efforts towards the accreditation of its academic programmes.
Before entering partisan politics, Idris built a business career with interests reportedly spanning construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.
He later joined the PDP and emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2003 governorship election, defeating the incumbent, Abubakar Audu.
His political influence subsequently became closely linked to the development of the PDP structure in Kogi State.
In April 2024, however, Idris suffered a family bereavement when his son, Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representatives, died in Abuja. The Kogi State Government confirmed the bereavement at the time.
A 2024 profile published by Radio Kogi also described Ibrahim Idris as having remained active in business and as a prominent figure in Kogi’s political history.
If confirmed, his reported death would mark the passing of one of the key political figures associated with Kogi State’s early years of the Fourth Republic.
Stonix News will update this report as soon as an official confirmation or further credible information becomes available.
