Former Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ibrahim Idris has died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77. Incumbent Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo declared a three-day mourning period and directed flags to fly at half-mast, announcing that the former leader will receive a state burial.
Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who governed Kogi State between 2003 and 2012, passed away on Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Political Leadership, Legal Battles, and the PDP Years
Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris was a businessman before venturing into politics. He founded Ibro Trading Company. He emerged as the PDP candidate for the Kogi governorship election held in 2003. He defeated the then incumbent governor, Abubakar Audu, and was sworn into office on May 29, 2003.
His administration later faced a major legal challenge after the 2007 governorship election. Although Idris was declared winner of the 2007 election, the result was challenged because Audu, who was the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), had been excluded from the election. The legal battle eventually led to the nullification of the election. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in February 2008 and ordered a fresh election. Idris contested the March 2008 re-run and was returned as governor, although his victory was again challenged by Audu. He eventually completed his tenure in January 2012 and was succeeded by Captain Idris Wada.
State Mourning, Tributes, and Personal Tragedies
Following his death, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo; former Governor Yahaya Bello; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdullahi Bello; and other top government officials visited the deceased’s residence in Abuja to condole with his family. Onogwu Muhammed, Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Public Relations and Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Yahaya Bello, disclosed the visit in a Facebook post on Sunday, accompanied by photographs of Ododo and Bello at the residence. He wrote, “Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Ahmed Usman Ododo; former Governor Yahaya Bello, CON; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Abdullahi Bello; and other top government officials have arrived at the Abuja residence of the late former Governor Ibrahim Idris, who passed away this afternoon.”
Following his death, the incumbent Governor, Usman Ododo, declared a three-day mourning period 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 in the state. Ododo also announced that Idris would receive a state burial, with the Kogi State Government taking full responsibility for the burial expenses and making the necessary arrangements. The governor had earlier visited the residence of the late former governor, where he commiserated with members of the Idris family. In a condolence letter to the family, Ododo described Idris’ death as a profound loss to Kogi State and Nigeria, saying the former governor had devoted a significant part of his life to serving the people. According to the governor, Idris’ administration witnessed interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other critical sectors, which contributed to the development and institutional growth of the state.
Repatriation Plans and Unresolved Arrangements
Sources further said the remains of the former governor may arrive in the country this week for burial in his ancestral home, Abejukolo, Omala local government area of the state. As of press time, details about the circumstances surrounding his reported death remained unclear, and family sources said Idris had suffered protracted illness.
