The Peoples Democratic Party, Kogi State chapter, has declared a 40-day mourning period and constituted an 11-man Central Planning Committee to oversee the condolence and burial activities of its former governor and leader, Ibrahim Idris.
This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the State Working Committee held on Wednesday at the party’s state secretariat in Lokoja.
The meeting was presided over by the State Chairman, Muhammed Gambo, who also signed the communiqué alongside the State Secretary, Sunday Ibrahim.
The SWC said it received with shock and deep sorrow the news of the death of Idris, popularly known as “Baba PDP”, describing him as a father, leader, political colossus, detribalised Nigerian, bridge-builder and founding father of the PDP in Kogi State.
The party also noted that Idris, who governed the state from 2003 to 2012, contributed to what it described as unprecedented development, peace and political inclusion during his tenure.
The SWC commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, 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, all 21 local government secretariats and ward secretariats across the state be flown at half-mast from Wednesday until 40 days after the burial.
On the burial arrangements, the SWC approved an 11-man Central Planning Committee chaired by Gambo, with Ibrahim as secretary.
Other members of the committee 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 communiqué said the committee was 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 read.
The SWC expressed appreciation to the Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, and the state government for the steps taken to accord 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 party urged its members, stakeholders and supporters across the 21 local government areas to remain calm, united and prayerful as it mourned the deceased.
The SWC prayed for the repose of Idris’s soul and asked Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanat Firdaus.
