Ishaku Darius Dickson

Darius Dickson Ishaku (born 30 July 1954) is a Nigerian architect, urban planner, university lecturer, and politician affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He served as the Governor of Taraba State from May 2015 to May 2023.

Early life: Ishaku 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 belong to the Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria. He attended St Bartholomew's Primary School, Wusasa, Zaria, from 1961 to 1967, and St. Paul's College Kufena, Zaria, from 1967 to 1972, graduating with a West African Examination Certificate (WASC). He then secured admission into the School of Basic Studies at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1972, where he passed out in 1974. He proceeded to ABU, obtaining a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture, followed by an additional Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning. Darius is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (FNIA) and the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (FNITP).

Political career: Ishaku previously held positions as the supervising minister for power, supervising minister for environment, and Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs before resigning to contest in the 2015 Taraba State gubernatorial election. He won the initial election against Aisha Jumai Alhassan of APC and David Sabo Kente of SDP, and was later elected Governor after a re-run election. He faced legal challenges from Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan, who took him to court. After a series of cases, the Supreme Court declared him the winner of the governorship election in early 2016.