Idris, ex-Kogi governor, dies, Ododo mourns

By Ola Taiwo

The second civilian Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, has been reported dead.

Idris was said to have died on Sunday in United Kingdom at the age of 77.

He was the governor of the state between 2003 and 2012 as he ran a 2-term of office that was briefly interrupted by a temporary administration of an acting governor when the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, clearance Olafemi took charge after the court nullified second term election he (Idris) won in 2007 and ordered a fresh election which he still won in 2008.

The deceased became second civilian governor of the state in 2003 after Abubakar Audu governed between 1992-1993 and 1999-2003.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has declared a three-day mourning period in honour of the deceased governor.

Ododo directed that the national and Kogi State flags be flown at half-mast in government offices and public institutions across the state throughout the mourning period.

He made the directive after visiting the residence of the deceased to commiserate with his family.

The governor, in a condolence message signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, described the death of Idris as a major loss to Kogi State and Nigeria.

Ododo also announced that the former governor would be accorded a state burial, with the state government taking full responsibility for the burial arrangements.

The governor said the gesture was to honour Idris for his contributions to the development of the state and his years of service to the people.

He said the late governor would be remembered not only for the projects and policies implemented during his tenure but also for his commitment to the responsibilities entrusted to him by the people.

“His years in public office formed an important chapter in the political and developmental journey of Kogi State,” he stated

Ododo urged the family of the deceased to draw strength from the memories of his service and the impact he made during his lifetime.

He also expressed condolences to friends, associates and other Nigerians mourning the former governor.

Ododo prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive Idris’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give his family and the people of Kogi State the strength to bear the loss.