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Former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, has died in the United Kingdom at the age of 77.
Mr Idris reportedly died on Sunday, September 20, 2026, according to multiple reports and sources familiar with the development.
Details surrounding his death were not immediately clear as of the time of filing this report.
Following the development, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Governor Yahaya Bello and other government officials visited the deceased’s residence in Abuja to condole with his family.
The visit was disclosed by Onogwu Muhammed, Special Adviser to Governor Ododo on Public Relations and Chief Press Secretary to former Governor Bello, in a post on Sunday.
Mr Idris governed Kogi State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serving from 2003 to 2008 and again from 2008 to 2012.
He first assumed office on May 29, 2003, after defeating the incumbent governor, Prince Abubakar Audu, in the governorship election.
His 2007 re-election was later nullified following a legal challenge over the exclusion of Audu, who was the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, ANPP, from the election.
The Court of Appeal upheld the decision in February 2008 and ordered a fresh election.
Mr Idris subsequently contested the March 2008 re-run election and was returned as governor. His victory was again challenged by Audu, who alleged irregularities in the conduct of the poll.
Mr Idris eventually completed his tenure and handed over to his successor, Captain Idris Wada, in January 2012.
Born in 1949 in Idah, Kogi State, Idris had a background in business before entering politics.
He established Ibro Trading Company, with interests in construction, furniture manufacturing and hospitality. He later established a furniture factory in Sokoto and the Ibro Hotel, which has been described in biographical accounts as the first three-star hotel in the old Sokoto State.
He later returned to formal education and obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of Abuja.
Mr Idris was popularly known as “Ibro” and remained influential in political and business circles after leaving office.
His tenure as governor was also marked by significant political and legal developments, including the court battles surrounding his 2007 election and the subsequent 2008 re-run.
His administration was succeeded by that of Captain Idris Wada, who served as governor from January 2012.
The late former governor also suffered a major family tragedy in 2024 when his son, Mohammed Ibrahim Idris, a former member of the House of Representatives, died in Abuja shortly after observing the Eid-el-Fitr prayer.
