The former governor of Yobe State, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, died at 73 on Sunday.

He died in Saudi Arabia after a protracted illness, a source who preferred anonymity claimed.

Ibrahim was the governor of Yobe State from May 1999 to May 2007.

During his first term, on August 5, 1993, he split the state’s four emirates into 13. The military regime of Sani Abacha reversed the change. In his second term after the return to democracy, 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 the Yobe East constituency in 2007. He ran for re-election on April 9, 2011, in the Senatorial contest for Yobe East on the ANPP platform and won.

Also, confirming his death, another source close to the family posted on his Facebook page, “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.”

Meanwhile, the Yobe State 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 DG, Press, and Media Affairs, Mamman Mohammed said Ibrahim died while receiving treatment for a protracted illness in Saudi Arabia and will 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 and honour.

He said, “This is a huge loss for us at this time, 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 State to join his family, the government, and the people of the state to pray for the repose of the soul of the former governor.