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Former Kogi governor Ibrahim Idris dies in UK at 77

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1 month ago

September 20, 2026

Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77.

Idris reportedly died on Sunday, September 20, 2026. His death was confirmed to AIT by his nephew, Shehu Ahmed, while other Nigerian media outlets also reported the development.

The circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately disclosed. Reports, however, said the former governor had been ill for some time.

Following the news, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, visited the late governor’s residence in Abuja to commiserate with members of the Idris family.

Idris served as governor of Kogi State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), first taking office in May 2003 after defeating the then incumbent, Prince Abubakar Audu.

He was re-elected in 2007, but the election was subsequently nullified by the courts following a legal challenge over the exclusion of Audu from the ballot. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in February 2008 and ordered a fresh election.

Idris later won the March 2008 re-run election and returned as governor, remaining in office until January 2012. He was succeeded by Captain Idris Wada.

Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris was a businessman before entering politics. He founded Ibro Trading Company, with interests in construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality, and established other business ventures, including Ibro Hotel.

His political career made him one of the longest-serving civilian governors in Kogi State, having governed the state for nearly nine years.

Kogi State Governor Ododo subsequently declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the former governor and announced that Idris would receive a state burial, with the state government taking responsibility for the burial arrangements and expenses.

The death of Idris marks the passing of one of the prominent political figures in Kogi State’s Fourth Republic history.