Ex-Senate President Lawan Mourns 3-time Yobe Gov Abba Ibrahim

President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, has mourned the death of the first civilian governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim.

The former Yobe State governor, according to reports, died in Saudi Arabia on Sunday after a prolonged illness.

He served for a total of 10 years as governor of the North-East State. He served as the first elected Governor of Yobe State from January 1992 to November 1993 in the aborted Third Republic; and was again elected to serve twice in that capacity between May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007.

Reacting to the news of Ibrahim’s death, the former Senate President, in a statement personally signed by him on Sunday, described the deceased as a dedicated politician and public servant who recorded significant achievements as governor.

According to him, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim was also an outstanding legislator and a bridge builder who worked tirelessly to promote peace, unity and progress in Nigeria.

The statement reads, “I received the shocking news of the death of former Governor of Yobe State, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, with a heavy heart.

“Senator Ibrahim was a committed leader, and a dedicated politician and public servant who contributed immensely to the development of Yobe State and Nigeria in general.

“During his tenure as Governor from 1999 to 2007, Yobe State witnessed significant progress in various sectors, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.

“He introduced a free education program in Yobe State in 2004, which provided free education to primary and secondary school students in the state. This program helped to increase school enrollment and reduce the illiteracy rate in the state.

“He was an outstanding legislator who represented Yobe East Senatorial District in the National Assembly from 2007 to 2019. He served as Chairman and Member of several Senate Committees.

“Senator Ibrahim was a true democrat and a bridge builder who worked tirelessly to promote unity, peace, and progress in Nigeria.

“He will be sorely missed for his immense contributions to the development of his senatorial district, our dear state, and Nigeria.

“I express my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Yobe State Government, and, indeed, all Nigerians who mourn his loss.

“May Almighty Allah (SWT) grant his soul Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin.”