Former governor of Yobe State, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, has passed on at 73 years of age.
He died in Saudi Arabia, yesterday, while battling a protracted illness, a source claimed.
Ibrahim was Yobe governor from May 1999 to May 2007.He had also governed the state from January 1992 to November 1993.
On August 5, 1993, he split the state’s four emirates into 13. However, the military regime of Gen Sani Abacha reversed the change.
However, on January 6, 2000, he re-implemented the new emirates, adding Ngazargamu, Gujba, Nguru, Tikau, Pataskum, Yusufari, Gudi, Fune and Jajere.
He was elected to the Senate for Yobe East in 2007. He won re-election on April 9, 2011, in the Senatorial contest for Yobe East on the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform.
Also, confirming his death, another source close to the family posted on his Facebook page: “Inna lillahiwa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun. Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim has passed away just now in Makkah. May Allah grant him peaceful repose and Jannatul Firdaus as his final abode, Amin Thumma Amin.”
Governor Mai Buni has expressed shock and regret at the death of the former statesman.
Announcing the death of the former governor, Buni, through his Director-General, Press and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed, said Ibrahim died while receiving treatment for a protracted illness in Saudi Arabia and would be buried there.
Buni further directed all other aspects of the funeral and condolences to be taken over by the state government to accord the late governor a state burial.
“This is a huge loss for us currently, but that is the wish of Allah, our creator. May Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings and admit him into Aljannatu Firdaus,” the governor prayed.
He, therefore, called on the people and friends of Yobe to join his family, the government, and the people of the state to pray for the repose of the soul of the former governor.
