The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Kogi State chapter, has declared a 40-day mourning period and constituted an 11-man Central Planning Committee to coordinate condolence and burial activities for the party’s former governor and leader, Ibrahim Idris.
The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the State Working Committee (SWC), held on Wednesday at the party’s state secretariat in Lokoja.
The meeting, presided over by the State Chairman, Muhammed Gambo, was attended by members of the SWC. Gambo and the State Secretary, Sunday Ibrahim, jointly signed the communiqué.
The SWC said it received the news of Idris’s death with shock and deep sorrow, describing the late former governor, popularly known as “Baba PDP,” as a father, leader, political colossus, detribalized Nigerian, bridgebuilder and founding father of the PDP in Kogi State.
Idris governed Kogi State from 2003 to 2012. The party credited him with contributing to what it described as unprecedented development, peace and political inclusion during his tenure.
The SWC commiserated with the deceased’s immediate family, the Ibro family, the PDP family nationwide, the Kogi State Government and the people of the state.
As part of its resolutions, the party directed that PDP flags at the state secretariat, the 21 local government secretariats and ward secretariats across the state be flown at half-mast from Wednesday until 40 days after the burial.
The party also approved an 11-man Central Planning Committee to coordinate the burial arrangements. The committee is chaired by Gambo, with Ibrahim serving as secretary.
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.
According to the communiqué, the committee is mandated to liaise with the deceased’s family and the Kogi State Government to ensure a befitting 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 stated.
The SWC also expressed appreciation to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the state government for steps taken to accord the former governor a state burial.
The party described the gesture as a recognition of Idris’s status as a former governor and elder statesman who served Kogi State.
The SWC urged PDP members, stakeholders and supporters across the 21 local government areas to remain calm, united and prayerful as the party mourned the former governor.
It prayed for the repose of Idris’s soul and asked Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanat Firdaus.
