General News
Senate Mourns Former Kogi Governor Ibrahim Idris at 77
The Senate on Tuesday, at plenary, mourned former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, who died in a London hospital, United Kingdom, on Sept. 20, 2026, at the age of 77.
The tribute followed a motion of urgent national importance raised by Sen. Jibrin Isah Echocho (APC-Kogi), who formally notified the Senate of the demise of the former governor.
Echocho said the deceased deserved to be honoured given his achievements in business and politics.
He said: “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, you know that we normally have one matter of urgent importance in a day.
“I wish to make a personal explanation concerning the demise of my former governor, His Excellency Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, CON, who administered Kogi State for about nine years.
“Alhaji Ibrahim Idris was a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a platform on which both the deceased and I were, at different times, associated.
“Mr President, distinguished colleagues, it is important that the Senate pays tribute to this great Nigerian and former governor of Kogi State.
“Before entering politics, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris established himself as a successful businessman and industrialist, building a business enterprise under the Ibro brand.
“Through the Ibro Trading Company, he developed diverse business interests spanning construction, furniture, manufacturing and hospitality.
“His entrepreneurial and industrial activities included the establishment of the Ibrahim Furniture Factory in Sokoto, described as the largest furniture factory in the then old Sokoto State, as well as Ibro Hotel, described as the first three-star hotel in that region.
“Alhaji Ibrahim Idris subsequently ventured into politics and was elected Governor of Kogi State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“He served as Governor of Kogi State from 29 May 2003 to 6 January 2012 and remains the longest-serving elected civilian governor in the history of Kogi State.”
He noted that the deceased, as governor, undertook significant infrastructural developments, particularly in Lokoja.
He listed the projects to include the construction of housing units for civil servants, blocks of classrooms for primary and secondary schools, the Lokoja International Market and the State Specialist Hospital in Lokoja.
“Furthermore, the expansion of the Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, which provided 24-hour water supply, was one of the notable infrastructural developments undertaken during his administration.
“Through his contributions to business, industrial development and public service, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris made significant contributions to the development of Kogi State and Nigeria.”
He said the death of Idris constituted a significant loss to his immediate family, the people and government of Kogi State, and the nation at large.
“We pray that Almighty Allah grants him forgiveness for his shortcomings and grants him Al-Jannah Firdaus.”
He urged the Senate to observe a minute’s silence in honour and memory of the deceased.
He also urged the Senate to send a delegation to his family in Abuja to convey the condolences of the Senate.
Sen. Aminu Tambuwal (ADC-Sokoto) lauded the late Idris for his contribution to Sokoto State.
Tambuwal said Idris, popularly called Ibro, started as a woodworker before venturing into the hotel business, where he built Ibro Hotel in Sokoto.
He said Ibro gave birth to his children and raised them in Sokoto and was highly respected, with the conferment of “Ambassador” by the Sultan of Sokoto.
Sen. Adams Oshiomhole (APC-Edo) described the late Idris as a man committed to the welfare of the people.
He said the late Idris was ready to pay the minimum wage to workers when he was governor.
“I remember as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), we engaged late Idris as governor of Kogi State and he said ‘Adams, if I don’t pay minimum wage, am I going to take the money to heaven?’,” Oshiomhole said.
He commiserated with the people of Kogi and the immediate family of Idris.
Sens. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi) and Abba Moro (PDP-Benue) also lauded the virtues of Idris and prayed God to repose his soul.
The Senate thereafter observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late former governor.