Former Yobe State governor, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, passed away at the age of 73 in Saudi Arabia on Sunday after battling a prolonged illness, according to an anonymous source.
Governor Ibrahim served from May 1999 to May 2007. In his first term, on August 5, 1993, he divided the state’s four emirates into 13, a move later reversed by the military regime of Sani Abacha. During his second term, following the return to democracy on January 6, 2000, he reintroduced the new emirates, expanding them to include Ngazargamu, Gujba, Nguru, Tikau, Pataskum, Yusufari, Gudi, Fune, and Jajere.
After his governorship, he was elected to the Senate for the Yobe East constituency in 2007 and successfully ran for re-election on April 9, 2011, under the ANPP platform.
Confirming his demise, a source close to the family posted on Facebook, “Inna lillahi wa 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.”
Yobe State Governor, Mai Buni, expressed shock and sorrow over the former governor’s death, stating that he passed away while undergoing treatment for a prolonged illness in Saudi Arabia. Governor Buni directed the state government to handle all funeral arrangements for a state burial and honor, asking for prayers for the late governor’s soul.
