KEY POINTS
- Scarred by past political tussles, Taraba senator recounts journey from okada to the senate.
- To hang on to his Senate candidacy, Jimkuta fought a legal battle and won.
- He pulled off a historic election upset and defeated Taraba state governor Darius Ishaku.
Speaking, Taraba South Senator David Jimkuta has urged political leaders to understand the need to be in touch with their roots and support their constituents.
At the Nigeria Law School, Bwari, Abuja, Alhaji Abiodun Jimkuta, who used to ride commercial motorcy (Okada rider) told his own story.
Jimkuta commended Wike for his support of his alma mater during an event in which the FCT minister donated seven vehicles and flagged off the building of 10 four bedroom bungalows for staff. Then he drew a parallel with his own life, how his experience as an Okada rider spurred him to lift up people from the same environment.
“I like what you are doing. Well, until I became a senator I used to be an Okada man, and I gave them bikes in the same spirit. That’s my primary constituency; I give to them as a politician,” Jimkuta said.
And he stressed, it’s not about politics, it’s about giving back, and urged other politicians to do the same. But he also acknowledged Wike’s commitment to his community saying; ‘Whoever says it’s politics, let him go and try his own luck.’
Defying the odds: The fight of Jimkuta for the Senate seat.
His rise to the Senate was no smooth affair. From legal battles to personal determination and shocking defeat of one of Taraba state most powerful figures, it was his journey to political office.
Jimkuta trounced his opponent, Danjuma Shiddi, a serving House of Representatives member for Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries where he polled 170 votes ahead.
Furthermore to date, only Shiddi’s name, not Jimkuta’s, has appeared on the list sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as APC Candidate.
Jimkuta petitioned the Federal High Court in Jalingo, where he refused to back down but lost the case. He then appealed the case to Court of Appeal and won. Shiddi, his rival, escalated the case to the Supreme Court. On the second go round, Jimkuta won again and the court ordered his name put back on the ballot.
Jimkuta gained attention in 2023 general elections after an astonishing political upset. Danbaba, who is the duo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeated the sitting governor of taraba state, Darius Ishaku of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 85,415 votes to Ishaku’s 45,708 votes. In addition, he was seen as changing the tide in Taraba politics, reiterating his massive grassroots backing and proving that perseverance pays.
What made Jimkuta’s Okada rider story to becoming a senator is a tale of resilience, courage and will to pull fellows from the downtrodden. It’s a reminder to politicians to let people come first rather than politics.
