Former Governor of Kogi State Ibrahim Idris Dies At 77

Former Governor of Kogi State, Ibrahim Idris, has died in the United Kingdom.

Idris was elected governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, in April 2003, defeating the incumbent, Prince Abubakar Audu. He was sworn in on May 29, 2003.

He was re-elected in 2007, but the election was nullified after the courts ruled that the All Nigeria Peoples Party candidate, Abubakar Audu, had been wrongly excluded from the poll.

Following a fresh election on March 29, 2008, Idris returned as governor and remained in office until January 2012, making him one of Kogi State’s longest-serving elected governors, with almost nine years in office.

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His administration was associated with major infrastructure projects, including the Confluence Stadium, Greater Lokoja Water Scheme, housing estates, roads, and investments in healthcare and education.

Idris also played a major role in the development of the Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba during his tenure.

One of the defining personal events of his governorship came in October 2006, when three of his daughters survived the ADC Airlines Flight 53 crash near Abuja, which killed about 96 people.

After leaving office, Idris remained an influential figure in Kogi politics and public life.