Nigeria’s Northern Senators Forum has paid tribute to former Kogi State Governor Ibrahim Idris following his death.
The forum, in a condolence message signed by its chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, described Idris, popularly known as “Ibro,” as a patriot whose life combined business, public service and community development.
Idris governed Kogi State from 2003 to 2012, becoming the state’s longest-serving governor.
Before entering politics, he built a business empire through Ibro Trading Company, with interests spanning furniture manufacturing, construction, hospitality, property and general commerce.
The Northern senators said his business activities created employment and opportunities for Nigerians, while his tenure as governor was marked by interventions in roads, water, education, healthcare and other areas.
The forum also highlighted Idris’ extensive political relationships across the country, describing him as a figure whose outlook went beyond regional boundaries.
“Igala has lost a patriot; Kogi has lost an elder statesman; and Nigeria has lost a believer in the Nigerian project,” the forum said.
The senators prayed for the repose of Idris’ soul and commiserated with his family, the Kogi State Government, the Igala people and the Peoples Democratic Party.
The tribute came as Nigeria’s political class continued to mourn Idris and former Peoples Democratic Party National Chairman Bamanga Tukur, who also died recently.
Tukur was remembered for a long public career that included serving as governor of the old Gongola State and national chairman of the PDP.
In a separate development, Senate President Godswill Akpabio paid tribute to Tukur during a condolence visit to his family on Tuesday.
Akpabio described the former PDP chairman as a “detribalised Nigerian” and a national figure whose contributions transcended ethnic and political lines.
According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, Akpabio recalled his personal relationship with Tukur and an event the late politician chaired in London in 2009.
The Senate President said Tukur’s legacy of service, wisdom and national engagement would remain an example to younger politicians.
He also announced that the National Assembly would honour the former elder statesman on the floor of the Senate when it resumes.
Tukur died on September 12, 2026, at the age of 90.
Responding on behalf of the family, one of his sons, Mahmoud Tukur, thanked Akpabio and his delegation for the visit and appreciated President Bola Tinubu and other Nigerians who honoured the late politician.
The tributes to Idris and Tukur have once again brought into focus the generation of Nigerian politicians whose careers stretched from regional and state politics to the national stage.