Ibrahim Idris

Ibrahim Idris
Governor of Kogi State
In office May 29, 2003 – February 6, 2008
Succeeded by	Clarence Olafemi
acting Governor of Kogi State
In office March 2008 – January 2011
Preceded by	Ibrahim Idris
Succeeded by	Wada Ichalla Idris
Personal details
Born	1949 Idah Local Government Area

Ibrahim Idris (born 1949) is a Nigeria businessman who was elected Governor of Kogi State in Nigeria in April 2003 and reelected in April 2007. He is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).^[1] Ibrahim Idris was replaced as governor by his brother-in-law Captain Idris Wada, who won an election in December 2011 and took office in January 2012.^[2]

Background

Ibrahim Idris was born in 1949 at idah town[,Idah Nigeria] 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. Abuja university ^[1]

After leaving school he launched the Ibro Trading Company, which has greatly expanded to include 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.^[1]

Governor of Kogi State

Kogi State in Nigeria

Ibrahim Idris, an Igala, was chosen as PDP candidate for the 2003 Kogi State governorship election in competition with the Ebira leader, Senator Ahmed Tijani Ahmed. He was elected governor of Kogi State on the PDP platform in April 2003, taking office on 29 May 2003.^[3]

Idris was re-elected in April 2007, but later in the year his re-election was nullified on the grounds that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had wrongly excluded the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidate Abubakar Audu from the April 14, 2007 governorship poll. On February 6, 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.^[4]

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.^[5]

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 Father for this favour. I can only call on Nigerians and indeed humanity in general to join me in thanksgiving for His benevolence'.^[6]

References

1. "Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State". Nigeria Governors Forum. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
2. "Confusion In Kogi As Gov Idris Rejects Assembly Speaker, Swears In Gov-Elect Instead…Chief Judge Boycotts Ceremony". IRNG. January 27, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2012.
3. Ralph Omololu Agbana (December 4, 2004). "Kogi PDP Crisis: My Story, by Deputy Governor, Philip Salawu". BNW News. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
4. Kunle Olasanmi (February 7, 2008). "Kogi Speaker takes over as Idris loses appeal". The Nation. Archived from the original on May 10, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
5. Achem Abdullahi. "Nigeria: Kogi Tribunal And an O'level Certificate". Vanguard. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012.
6. Emeka Mamah, Rotimi Ajayi & Ben Aganda (October 31, 2006). "Crash: Miracle girl walks out unhurt". Vanguard. Retrieved December 13, 2009.