Zacharias David Idris

David Idris Zacharias (born 27 December 1972), is a politician and member representing Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela Ofu federal Constituency in the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives. He holds membership assignments on the House Committees on Appropriation, Ecological Fund, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).

In September 2019, he supported a motion calling on the Nigeria Boundary Commission to resolve the lingering boundary dispute involving his constituents in Ibaji Local Council of Kogi State and Otu in Enugu State. He is a business executive with major interests in real estate and CEO of Eden Multibiz Project Ltd., an Africa proprietary firm. He is also a co-founder and chairman of the board of directors of Maina Court Facility Management Services Ltd and founder of the David Zacharias Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian organization.

Zacharias was born in Ejule, a community in Ofu Local Council area of Kogi State. He attended a missionary school, St. Martins Primary School, Ejule. He holds a West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) from Community Secondary School, Ejule, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Sociology from the University of Abuja, and attended the Reforming Leadership Institution in Abuja.

In 2015, Zacharias contested for the APC ticket to run for the Idah federal Constituency seat in the Nigeria Federal House of Representatives but lost to his opponent at APC primaries. In 2019, he won his party’s ticket and subsequently won the Idah federal Constituency seat in the National Assembly, defeating then incumbent Emmanuel Egwu of the PDP at the general elections with a clear margin of victory. Emmanuel Egwu challenged the election results, leading to a tribunal ruling on August 22, 2019, affirming Zacharias’ victory and striking out Egwu’s petition. Egwu is still challenging the tribunal’s ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Zacharias is a community leader in Kogi State, involved in humanitarian and emergency response services. During the 2012 flood disaster that affected hundreds of communities across 24 states, including Kogi, Zacharias provided relief materials to flood victims in Kogi State. He mobilized Life Gate Foundation and Zacharias Foundation to distribute relief materials to victims, presenting them to then Governor Idris Wada.

He is vocal against anti-social vices such as thuggery, cultism, and other deviant behaviors, particularly in his native town Ejule. In the lead-up to the 2019 general elections, violent crimes surged, with thugs attacking political campaigns and causing injuries and deaths. In 2015, Abu Jeremiah, a youth leader, was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen. In 2011, a violent clash between rival political thugs resulted in deaths and injuries. Zacharias’ efforts in providing sustainable skills, employment, and scholarships to vulnerable youths have reduced violent crimes in Ejule.

The Zacharias Foundation, founded to uplift marginalized citizens, provides scholarships to secondary school students across Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela, and Ofu local council areas for over six years. Young women and widows benefit from small-scale business funds, while the foundation also supports healthcare, sports, and religious charities.