Former Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris Dies at 77 in UK
By Sabiu Abdullahi
Former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has died at the age of 77.
Idris died in the United Kingdom on Sunday, September 20, 2026, according to reports confirmed by his family and multiple Nigerian media outlets.
Following his death, Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Abdullahi Bello and other government officials visited the late former governor’s residence in Abuja to condole with his family.
Onogwu Muhammed, Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Public Relations and former Chief Press Secretary to Yahaya Bello, announced the visit in a Facebook post.
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.”
Idris governed Kogi State from 2003 to 2012 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He first assumed office in 2003 and returned for another term after winning a 2008 rerun following a legal challenge to the 2007 governorship election.
Governor Ododo has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the former governor and ordered that the national and Kogi State flags be flown at half-mast across government offices and designated public institutions.
The Kogi State Government has also announced that Idris will receive a state burial, with the government taking responsibility for the burial expenses.
In a condolence message, Ododo described Idris’ death as a profound loss to Kogi State and Nigeria.
“His years in public office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental journey of Kogi State,” Governor Ododo said.
The circumstances surrounding Idris’ death were initially not disclosed. However, a subsequent report quoting a family statement said he died after a brief illness in London.
Idris, popularly known as “Ibro”, was also a businessman before entering politics. He founded Ibro Trading Company, with interests in construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality.
He was succeeded as Kogi governor by Captain Idris Wada in January 2012.
Tributes have continued to pour in from political leaders and associates following his death, including Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who described him as a significant figure in the political history of Kogi State and the PDP.