Ibrahim Idris

For the Yemeni detained at Guantanamo Bay, see Ibrahim Othman Ibrahim Idris.

Ibrahim Idris
Governor of Kogi State
In office
5 April 2008 – 26 January 2012
DeputyPhilip Salawu
Preceded byClarence Olafemi (acting)
Succeeded byIdris Wada
In office
29 May 2003 – 6 February 2008
DeputyPhilip Salawu
Preceded byAbubakar Audu
Succeeded byClarence Olafemi (acting)
Personal details
Born1949 (age 74–75)
Idah, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Kogi State, Nigeria)
Political partyPeoples Democratic Party
Spouse
Zainab Idris
​
(died 2014)​
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businessman

Ibrahim Idris (// ⓘ; born 1949)[1] is a Nigeria politician and businessman who served as the governor of Kogi State from 2003 to 2008 and from 2008 to 2012.[2] He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).[3] Idris was succeeded by his brother-in-law Captain Idris Wada, who won election in December 2011 and took office in January 2012.[4]

Background

Ibrahim Idris was born in 1949 at Idah town, Idah Local Government Area of Kogi State. He started his primary education in 1954 in Onitsha, Anambra State. In 1962, he moved to Kano, where he completed his primary education in 1963. He moved to Buguma in Rivers State where he enrolled in King's Commercial College in 1964. He holds a bachelor's degree from University of Abuja[3]

After leaving school he launched the Ibro Trading Company, with interests in construction, furniture making, hotels and other activities. In 1970, he moved to Sokoto where he set up the Ibrahim Furniture Factory, the largest in Sokoto State, and later the Ibro Hotel, the first 3-star hotel in the old Sokoto State.[3]

Governor of Kogi State

Kogi State in Nigeria

Idris, an Igala, emerged PDP governorship candidate for Kogi State in the 2003 Kogi State gubernatorial election after defeating an Ebira leader, Senator Ahmed Tijani Ahmed at the primaries of then ruling party in Nigeria at the federal level. He was elected governor of Kogi State on the PDP platform in April 2003, after beating then governor Prince Abubakar Audu of the All People's Party, APP. Ibrahim assumed office on 29 May 2003.[5]

Idris was re-elected in April 2007, but was later nullified on the grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had wrongly excluded the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate Abubakar Audu from 14 April 2007 governorship poll. On 6 February 2008, the Court of Appeal upheld this ruling and ordered a new election to be held within three months. President Umaru Yar'Adua ordered the Speaker of the House of Assembly to take over as acting governor.[6]

In a repeat election held on March 29, 2008, Idris was returned as the Governor of Kogi State. His opponent, Abubakar Audu, challenged the result of the by-election on the basis of massive electoral fraud including violence and theft of ballot boxes.[7]

ADC Airlines Flight 53 'miracle'

On the October 29, 2006 plane crash, his 3 daughters survived the accident along with six other people. About this he claimed: 'This is a superlative show of mercy to me and my family by Almighty Allah. I lack words to express my gratitude to the Almighty Creator for this favour. I can only call on Nigerians and indeed humanity in general to join me in thanksgiving for His benevolence'.[8]

Personal

Idris was a spouse to Zainab Ibrahim Idris who died on 31 May 2014 from cancer related ailment.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Ibrahim Idris at 71: Untold story of a former governor who exited poverty". Vanguard News. 19 April 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  2. ^ "BREAKING NEWS: Alhaji Idris Ibrahim declared winner of Controversial Kogi State Election Re-Runs". Sahara Reporters. 29 March 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State". Nigeria Governors Forum. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  4. ^ "Confusion In Kogi As Gov Idris Rejects Assembly Speaker, Swears In Gov-Elect Instead…Chief Judge Boycotts Ceremony". IRNG. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 13 January 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  5. ^ Ralph Omololu Agbana (4 December 2004). "Kogi PDP Crisis: My Story, by Deputy Governor, Philip Salawu". BNW News. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  6. ^ Kunle Olasanmi (7 February 2008). "Kogi Speaker takes over as Idris loses appeal". The Nation. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2009.
  7. ^ Achem Abdullahi. "Nigeria: Kogi Tribunal And an O'level Certificate". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 12 October 2012.
  8. ^ Mamah, Emeka; Ajayi, Rotimi; Aganda, Ben (31 October 2006). "Crash: Miracle girl walks out unhurt". Vanguard. Retrieved 13 December 2009. [dead link]
  9. ^ Blueprint (18 June 2014). "Tribute to late Hajia Zainab Ibrahim Idris". Blueprint Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  10. ^ Gists, Naija (16 June 2014). "Former Kogi First Lady Is Dead: Cancer Killed Ex-Governor Ibrahim Idris's Wife, Zainab - NaijaGists.com - Proudly Nigerian DIY Motivation & Information Blog". Retrieved 12 May 2022.