Hon. David Idris Zacharias is a Nigerian politician representing the Idah/Ibaji/Igalamela-Odolu/Ofu Federal Constituency in Kogi State in the House of Representatives.
Born on December 27, 1972, in Ejule, Ofu Local Government Area, he is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He holds a B.Sc. in Sociology from the University of Abuja and has attended leadership training at the Reforming Leadership Institution in Abuja.
Political Career and Contributions:
– Representation: Elected to represent the constituency, which includes Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela-Odolu, and Ofu Local Government Areas, Zacharias has focused on legislative duties, including representation, law-making, and oversight.
His election was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in 2023, dismissing a petition by PDP candidate Victor Uchola.
– Legislative Efforts: He has supported motions addressing local issues, such as a 2019 motion urging the Nigeria Boundary Commission to resolve a boundary dispute between Ibaji (Kogi State) and Enugu Otu (Enugu State).He also seconded a bill on boundary demarcation affecting Ezeagwu (Anambra) and Odeke-Ibaji (Kogi) communities and co-sponsored bills to amend the Nigerian Oil/Gas Industry Content Development Act and establish a Federal College of Education Technical in Alloma, Ofu, and a Federal Eye Center in Ogbonicha.
– Constituency Projects: Zacharias has facilitated infrastructure projects, including solar-powered streetlights in Oko-Okenyi, Ojuwo Ojamachi, Ala, and Ejule (Ofu LGA) and boreholes in Ejule, Igalamela, and Ibaji to address water scarcity.
In 2023, he organized training for 240 youths and women in skills like chemical works, soap making, and perfumery, in collaboration with the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management.
– Environmental Advocacy: In 2025, he moved a motion in the House of Representatives calling for urgent federal intervention to address gully erosion in communities like Angwa (Idah), Ajaka (Igalamela-Odolu), and Itobe, Ajegwu, Aloji, Umomi, and Ugwolawo (Ofu), citing severe impacts on roads, farmlands, and infrastructure due to climate change and unregulated human activities.
– Accountability: In 2020, he reported disbursing over ₦5 million to petty traders and supporting over 100 new businesses, particularly for women, across markets in Ochadamu, Ejule, Itobe, Egah-Idah, Ajaka, and Ibaji.
David Zacharias Foundation:
Through his non-profit, the David Zacharias Foundation, he has provided scholarships to thousands of secondary school students across the constituency for over six years, including 500 students in Ibaji, 700 in Idah, 620 in Igalamela-Odolu, and 800 in Ofu. The foundation also supports young women and widows with funds to start small-scale businesses.
Business Background
Zacharias is a businessman with interests in real estate, serving as MD/CEO of Eden Multibiz Project Ltd. and co-founder/chairman of Maina Court Facility Management Services Ltd.
Political Context:
The Idah Federal Constituency, comprising four LGAs, is noted for its political significance, with Ibaji often delivering block votes. There have been calls for rotational representation to ensure equity, particularly for Ibaji, which is considered underdeveloped and faces issues like flooding and boundary disputes over oil-rich land with Anambra State.
AMECHI. P writes from Abuja.
