Dr. Jesse Adi Ashumate is the duly elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Taraba South Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, having emerged victorious in the party’s primary election and received his Certificate of Return. His emergence has been widely welcomed by supporters who view him as a competent, experienced, and visionary leader capable of providing effective representation for the people of Taraba South at the National Assembly.

Born and raised in Taraba State, Dr. Ashumate’s life story is deeply rooted in the socio-political realities of the state. A proud son of Taraba South, he is widely regarded as a grassroots politician who understands the everyday challenges facing the people and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to practical solutions and people-oriented leadership.

His academic journey reflects excellence, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to service. He attended the prestigious Federal Government College, Wukari, one of Nigeria’s foremost Unity Schools, before proceeding to Ahmadu Bello University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS). He later earned a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Public Health from the University of Nigeria and completed his Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, attaining one of the highest professional qualifications in the medical profession. His educational background has given him a broad understanding of Nigeria’s social, economic, and political landscape while building enduring professional networks across the country.

Dr. Ashumate is a distinguished Fellow of the West African College of Physicians and has held several strategic positions in the healthcare sector. He served as Medical Head across multiple state-owned hospitals, where he contributed to improving healthcare delivery, strengthening hospital administration, and enhancing patient care. As a pioneer staff member of the Federal University Wukari and later its Medical Director, he established the University’s Health Centre and initiated a health insurance scheme that benefited both staff members and members of the surrounding communities. He completed his tenure with an unblemished reputation for professionalism and integrity.

His transition into public administration saw him serve as Commissioner for Finance and Economic Planning under former Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku. During his tenure, he was credited with strengthening fiscal discipline, improving internally generated revenue, promoting budget transparency, and enhancing prudent financial management. He played an instrumental role in integrating Taraba State into the World Bank-supported State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability (SFTAS) Programme, through which the state accessed grants that supported fiscal infrastructure, accountability reforms, revenue improvement, and anti-corruption initiatives.

He also spearheaded the establishment of the Taraba Geographic Information System (TAGIS), a landmark reform that modernised land administration, simplified property documentation, and reduced disputes associated with land ownership. Under his leadership, the Community and Social Development Project (CSDP) was successfully reactivated. He established the implementing agency’s operational office and administrative hub, which coordinated hundreds of community-driven projects across Taraba State.

Through the CSDP, more than 250 community-based projects were reportedly executed, including the construction and rehabilitation of classroom blocks, primary healthcare centres, water supply projects, agricultural support initiatives, livelihood programmes, and social infrastructure in communities across Southern Taraba and other parts of the state. The programme also provided grants to vulnerable communities to improve local economic activities and community development.

Beyond his official responsibilities, Dr. Ashumate has earned recognition for facilitating employment opportunities for young people. Supporters credit him with facilitating the employment of over one hundred youths into the Federal University Wukari, particularly within the health sector, while also assisting others to secure employment through World Bank-supported programmes, the Rescue Education Programme, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police Force. During the establishment of the Community and Social Development Project implementing agency, he also recruited personnel who helped drive the programme’s activities across the state.

In the private sector, Dr. Ashumate serves as President of the Kwararafa Group and Ismida Petroleum Company. Through these organisations, he has established strategic partnerships within the Dangote business ecosystem, particularly in the cement and petroleum sectors. Supporters argue that these business relationships have contributed to attracting commercial opportunities into Taraba State while creating employment and expanding local enterprise.

The Kwararafa Group has reportedly supported cement distributors across Wukari, Takum, Donga, Ibi, and Ussa, strengthening local supply chains and stimulating commercial activities within the region. The organisation has also trained young people in basic healthcare services, supported them in establishing small businesses, and empowered market women through business management training, record-keeping education, and financial grants aimed at expanding their businesses and improving household incomes.

Similarly, Ismida Petroleum Company has reportedly implemented innovative supply arrangements that enable young entrepreneurs to receive petroleum products on credit and remit payment after sales. Supporters describe this initiative as one that has reduced unemployment, expanded business ownership, and improved livelihoods for many youths across Southern Taraba.

Dr. Ashumate’s supporters also point to his direct interventions in strengthening local businesses. He has reportedly assisted entrepreneurs across Wukari, Ibi, Takum, Donga, and Ussa through short-term supply financing arrangements that enabled businesses to execute contracts before receiving payment, while also supporting community members with grants that enhanced small-scale enterprise development.

Although Dr. Ashumate has not previously served in the legislature, his supporters contend that his extensive background in healthcare, governance, financial management, development administration, and private enterprise provides a strong foundation for effective legislative representation. His experience managing complex institutions and implementing large-scale public programmes is seen as valuable preparation for the demands of lawmaking, oversight, and constituency development.

Widely regarded as articulate, intellectually sound, and policy-oriented, Dr. Ashumate is known for his eloquence, analytical thinking, and broad national exposure. His extensive professional, academic, and business networks are viewed by supporters as assets that would enable him to build productive relationships within the National Assembly and attract development opportunities to Taraba South.

Politically, he contests under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a party that maintained political dominance in Taraba State for over two decades before the political realignments that followed the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2025. Many political observers believe that while governmental structures shifted, the PDP continues to retain a significant grassroots support base across the state, providing Dr. Ashumate with one of the most established political structures in Taraba as he seeks election to the Senate.

His aspiration is anchored on providing purposeful representation and unlocking the vast economic potential of Taraba South in agriculture, commerce, education, healthcare, tourism, solid minerals, infrastructure, and human capital development. He believes that effective legislative representation should not only make laws but also attract investments, create opportunities, and improve the quality of life of constituents.

Combining decades of experience in medicine, public administration, financial management, community development, and private enterprise, Dr. Jesse Adi Ashumate presents himself as a candidate with extensive executive experience and a record of public service. As the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for Taraba South Senatorial District, he offers voters a combination of technocratic competence, administrative experience, grassroots engagement, business exposure, and community-focused leadership as he seeks to represent the district in the Senate.