Darius Dickson Ishaku CON, FNIA, FNITP (born 30 July 1954) is a Nigerian architect, urban planner, university lecturer and politician. He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and served as the governor of Taraba State from May 2015 to May 2023.[1][2][3][4]
Darius Ishaku | |
---|---|
Governor of Taraba State | |
In office 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023 | |
Deputy | Haruna Manu |
Preceded by | Danbaba Suntai[a] |
Succeeded by | Agbu Kefas |
Personal details | |
Born | Darius Dickson Ishaku 30 July 1954 Lupwe, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Taraba State, Nigeria) |
Political party | Peoples Democratic Party |
Spouse | Anna Darius Ishaku |
Alma mater | St. Paul's College Kufena, Zaria Ahmadu Bello University |
Occupation |
|
Early life
editIshaku was born on 30 July 1954 to Mr Ishaku Istifanus and Mrs Naomi at Lupwe in Ussa Local Government Area of Taraba State. He is the fifth of ten children from his family, all of whom are members of the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria.
The young Darius was enrolled into St Bartholomew's Primary school, Wusasa, Zaria, in 1961, and graduated in 1967.
He then proceeded to famous St. Paul's College Kufena, Zaria, for his secondary education, in 1972 and passed out in flying colours, obtaining West African Examination Certificate (WASC). He secured admission into the school of basic studies in prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in the same year (1972), for his advance Level education which was then a requirement for gaining admission into the university, and he passed out in 1974. He proceeded to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) where he studied and obtained a Bachelor's and a master's degree in Architecture, he went further to obtain an additional master's degree in Urban and regional planning.[5]
Darius is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA) and also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (FNITP).
Political career
editIshaku was previously the supervising minister for power, supervising minister for environment and the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs before he resigned to contest in the 2015 Taraba State gubernatorial election. He won the initial gubernatorial election against Aisha Jumai Alhassan of APC and David Sabo Kente of SDP, and was elected Governor of Taraba State after winning the subsequent re-run election. Darius won the 2015 election but was in a court battle with his opponent, senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan who took him to court and after a series of cases, Darius was declared the winner of the governorship election by the Supreme Court in early 2016.[6][7][8]
Darius Ishaku was again successful, for his second run, in the gubernatorial election of March 2019, defeating his closest rival Alhaji Abubakar Sani Danladi of the All Progressives Congress by over 150,000 votes.[9][10][11]
In the 2023 Senate election, a political newcomer David Jimkuta, polled 85,415 votes to defeat the incumbent governor Ishaku who scored 45,708 votes in the race for Taraba South Senatorial District.[12]
Award
editIn October 2022, a Nigerian national honour of Commander Of The Order Of The Niger (CON) was conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari.[13]
Notes
edit- ^ Suntai became incapacitated in 2012 following an aircrash, the remainder of his term was served out by his deputies, Garba Umar and Sani Danladi
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Tyopuusu, Justin. "Nigeria's democracy embarrassing, insulting —Gov Ishaku". The Punch. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Gov Ishaku's absence from Taraba". Daily Trust. 25 February 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Taraba Assembly passes vote of confidence on Governor Ishaku". TODAY. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 5 March 2020.
- ^ "Taraba gov dissociates self from insecurity report". The Nation. 25 December 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku Full Biography". takemetonaija.com. Retrieved 17 August 2016.
- ^ Mkom, John (25 April 2015). "Rerun election: PDP governorship candidate Darius wins in Taraba". Vanguard. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ Nwabufo, Fredrick (11 February 2016). "'Mama Taraba' loses at supreme court". TheCable. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ "Profile of Darius Dickson Ishaku". Candidates.nigeriaelections.org. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
- ^ Polycarp, Nwafor (12 March 2019). "Darius Ishaku wins second term in Taraba". Vanguard. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
- ^ "Tribunal Affirms Darius Dickson Ishaku as winner of Guber poll". Daily Trust. 20 September 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
- ^ "Appeal Court affirms Darius Ishaku as Taraba Governor". Channels TV. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
- ^ Ogune, Matthew (28 February 2023). "Gov Ishaku Loses Taraba South Senatorial Election to APC Jimkuta". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "FULL LIST: 2022 National Honours Award Recipients". The Nation. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.