The first elected Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Chief Samuel Ola Akande, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Governor Ibrahim Idris, describing the late elder statesman’s death as a profound personal loss that cuts through more than two decades of close brotherhood.
In a press statement issued on Monday, Chief Akande, who served as deputy governor between 1991 and 1993, reflected on a shared bond defined by mutual respect, revealing a warm personal dynamic that transcended political office.
“I received the shocking news of the death of His Excellency, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, with deep sadness,” Chief Akande stated. “We shared a relationship of over two decades, nurtured by mutual respect and common interests. Throughout that time, he never called me by my name. It was always ‘Uncle’.”
A Legacy of Inclusivity and Peacebuilding
Recalling the political climate when Alhaji Idris assumed office as Governor in 2003, Chief Akande credited the late leader with stabilizing the state during a period marked by heightened inter-ethnic tensions. He noted that Idris laid down a governance template rooted in equity, ensuring that an unwritten “State Character” principle governed public appointments.
“When he assumed office in 2003, he moved quickly to douse tensions in the state and laid a template to overcome the mutual ethnic suspicion that was then raging in Kogi,” Akande noted. “In a state as diverse as ours, that commitment mattered as much as any road or building.”
Chief Akande highlighted how the Idris administration prioritized all segments of Kogi society, ensuring civil servants received their entitlements promptly, traditional rulers were accorded respect, and local businesses were given priority.
“Students were happy, civil servants received their dues when due, traditional rulers were accorded respect, party men and women had a say in how things were done, and artisans were not left behind. Bursaries for students, prompt payment of salaries, leave bonuses, youth and women empowerment, and patronage of local contractors were the hallmarks of his tenure,” he said.
Key Infrastructure and Lasting Contributions
Reflecting on the tangible milestones of the Idris administration, the former deputy governor enumerated key developmental interventions across Kogi State, including the landmark “Ibro Water” scheme that alleviated supply challenges for residents of Lokoja. He also mentioned construction of the Lokoja International Market and the Lokoja Township Stadium, residential housing developments expanded across all 21 Local Government Areas, and strengthening the state judiciary, respecting legislative autonomy, and promoting local government independence.
Beyond his accomplishments in public office, Chief Akande paid tribute to Idris’s character as a private citizen, hailing him as a compassionate humanitarian, an accomplished businessman, and a loyal friend.
Closing his tribute, Chief Akande extended his sympathies to the family of the deceased, as well as the government and people of Kogi State, offering prayers for the repose of his soul.
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace,” he concluded.
