By | Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja
Former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has died at the age of 77.
Idris reportedly died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, in the United Kingdom. His death was also confirmed by the Kogi State Government, which described his passing as a profound loss to the state and Nigeria.
Following the development, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, declared a three-day period of mourning in honour of the former governor and directed that the national and Kogi State flags be flown at half-mast across government offices and other designated public institutions throughout the mourning period.
Governor Ododo also announced that Idris would receive a state burial, with the Kogi State Government taking full responsibility for the burial expenses and arrangements.
The governor had earlier visited the late former governor’s residence in Abuja, where he commiserated with members of the Idris family.
Also at the residence were former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdullahi Bello; and other top government officials.
The visit was disclosed by Onogwu Muhammed, Special Adviser to Governor Ododo on Public Relations and Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Yahaya Bello, in a Facebook post on Sunday.
In a condolence message issued through the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, Governor Ododo described Idris as an eminent son of Kogi who devoted a significant part of his life to public service.
Ododo said the late former governor’s administration witnessed interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical sectors, adding that his years in office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental history of Kogi State.
Ibrahim Idris served as Governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2012, after winning the 2003 governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Following the annulment of the 2007 election and a subsequent re-run, he returned to office in 2008 and remained governor until January 2012.
The circumstances surrounding his death were not immediately disclosed, while further details on the state burial arrangements are expected from the Kogi State Government and his family.
