Chris Tarka

Christopher Tarka (born 1958) is a Nigerian politician currently serving as the Chief of Staff to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. He is the son of the 20th-century Nigerian politician Joseph Tarka.

Early life and education Tarka was born on September 28, 1958. His father, Joseph Tarka, was a politician and the president-general of the United Middle Belt Congress, a major political party in the Middle Belt region at the time.

For his early education, Tarka attended St. John's College and Kaduna Capital School. He initially planned to study at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria, but due to an ongoing strike, he decided to pursue his education abroad. He completed his A-Levels at the London College of Economics and later moved to Nebraska to study Business Studies.

Political career After completing his studies in Nebraska, Tarka remained in the United States for some time, running a business. He eventually returned to Nigeria following the loss of both of his parents. His return coincided with the transition to the Third Republic under the Ibrahim Babangida military regime in the early 1990s.

Tarka eventually entered politics, continuing his father's legacy alongside his brother Simeon, who was elected into the House of Representatives in 1979. He was mentored by Shehu Musa Yar'Adua and joined Yar'Adua's People's Front, which was later absorbed into the Social Democratic Party (SDP), one of the two political parties approved by the Babangida government. He was the Deputy Secretary to the Presidential Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election.

He is currently the Chief of Staff to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Akume.