The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Kogi State chapter, has declared a 40-day mourning period for former governor and party leader, Ibrahim Idris.
The party also constituted an 11-man Central Planning Committee to oversee condolence and burial activities for the former governor, popularly known as “Baba PDP.”
The resolutions were 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.
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The meeting was presided over by the State Chairman, Muhammed Gambo, who signed the communique alongside the State Secretary, Sunday Ibrahim.
The SWC said it received the news of Idris’s death with “shock and deep sorrow,” describing him as a father, leader, political colossus, detribalised Nigerian, bridge-builder and founding father of the PDP in Kogi State.
Idris governed Kogi State from 2003 to 2012. The party said he 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 would liaise with the deceased’s family and the Kogi State Government to ensure a befitting burial for the former governor.
“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 communique read.
The SWC also expressed appreciation to Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the state government for steps taken to accord Idris a state burial.
The party said the gesture was a testament to Idris’s status as a former governor and elder statesman who served Kogi State meritoriously.
The PDP urged its members, stakeholders and supporters across the 21 Local Government Areas to remain calm, united and prayerful as it mourned the former governor.
