The Peoples Democratic Party in Kogi State has declared a 40-day mourning period in honour of its former governor and leader, Ibrahim Idris, while setting up an 11-member committee to coordinate activities surrounding his condolence and burial arrangements.
The decisions were reached at an emergency meeting of the party’s State Working Committee held on Wednesday at its secretariat in Lokoja. The meeting was chaired by the state chairman, Muhammed Gambo, who signed the resulting communiqué alongside the state secretary, Sunday Ibrahim.
The SWC expressed shock over Idris’s death, describing the former governor, popularly called “Baba PDP”, as a father, political leader, bridge-builder, detribalised Nigerian and founding figure of the PDP in Kogi State.
Idris governed Kogi State between 2003 and 2012. The party said his administration was marked by development, peace and political inclusion, while extending condolences to his family, the Ibro family, the PDP nationwide, the Kogi State Government and residents of the state.
As part of the mourning programme, the party ordered that PDP flags at its state secretariat, the 21 local government secretariats and ward offices across Kogi be flown at half-mast from Wednesday until 40 days after the former governor’s burial.
The SWC also approved an 11-member Central Planning Committee to coordinate the burial arrangements. Gambo was named chairman of the committee, while Ibrahim will serve as secretary.
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Other members are Yahaya Karaku, Paul Ukwenya, Anthony M. Akuvada, Yunusa Adazaki, Toluhi Michael Segun, Audu Siyaka Uhanaye, Esther Abimbola Soje, Igagu Idris and Saba Ibrahim.
The committee is expected to work with Idris’s family and the state government towards organising his burial.
“The Committee is mandated to liaise with the family and the Kogi State Government to ensure a befitting burial for the late leader, with its terms of reference to be announced in due course,” the communiqué read.
The party also acknowledged Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the Kogi State Government for moves to give the former governor a state burial.
“The Party noted that the gesture was a testament to Alhaji Ibrahim Idris’s status as a former Governor and an elder statesman who served Kogi State meritoriously,” the communiqué added.
The PDP urged its members, supporters and stakeholders across the state’s 21 local government areas to remain calm, united and prayerful throughout the mourning period.
The SWC also prayed for the repose of Idris’s soul and asked Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanat Firdaus.