The Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for Kwara North Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Adamu Attahiru Manko has stated that he is yet to decamp to other political party.
Manko gave this hint on Sunday during an interactive session with the members of the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP), at his Ilorin residence.
He noted that he remains in SDP and yet to join any other political party.
In his words, “I am still consulting. Everybody knows what happens in the last election, but whatever it was, Kwara first, because the State belongs to all of us.
“As at today, I think I am the last man standing and the reason for that was because we promoted SDP everywhere, we had followers and we can’t just jump ship without carrying those people along. If I do that, it will validate the unfounded rumors that somebody from Kwara Central was sponsoring me. So, that’s why I didn’t go when the tsunami happened and people were going there to snap pictures”.
Manko, who is the son of a notable political figure in Patigi local government said he venture into politics was help the people grow and add values to the society.
“My coming into politics was accidental, it was as a result of pressure and calls deon people, especially from those I don’t know outside my senatorial district. It took a lot of effort to convince me, before I decided to venture into politics to help other people grow and add values to our society.” He explained.
“We complain about the bad state of affairs, but if we don’t join politics and continue to sit on the fence, there’s no way we can support in addressing societal problems. I believe it I can do a little outside government, I believe I would be able to do more if I stop sitting on the fence and join the system. Because since I started offering help to people in my own modest way, the pressure has been enormous”.
The Business Mogul who asserted that he has been helping people across Kwara states also noted that while some people may join politics with the aim of buying houses, build cars, travel abroad and enjoy luxurious life, God has blessed them with the luxury of life, hence, his resolve to give back.
Speaking on the 2027 elections, Manko said “Anything can happen, 2027 is still far. There are so many positions in Kwara state, anything can happen.”
Manko however emphasized the power of advancing mutual understanding between the people of Kwara North, South, and Central senatorial districts and not fighting, in the quest for political fairness, justice, and equity.
“Although Kwara belongs to all of us, other districts have some advantages over us, so we have to lobby them and make them have understanding and that is why I have friends across the three senatorial districts.” the Patigi-born politician stated.
He urged Kwarans to support Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to succeed, saying ‘I can’t be insulting Governor because we are in different political parties’.
“As a Muslim, we are admonished to pray for our leaders. If I should start insulting Rahman (Kwara state Governor) today, what if I am in the same party with him tomorrow? So, I can only pray for him.
“Of course, we all know we are suffering in Kwara State, but we can only pray for him to be able to do more of whatever he has done. Because God put him there. So, as followers, we have to pray for our leaders if we believe in Kwara.
Speaking about his political experience, although still learning the ropes, Manko said he has learned a lot from his father as the first child of the family.
“I thought my dad was an herbalist when I was young because people were always coming from different villages. We didn’t know it was politics then. We hardly had time to interact with our dad because of politics.
“Later, Ibrahim Attahiru decided to join him. However, whatever happens, we sit to discuss with our dad. I learned the ability to manage good and terrible people and situations in politics. But I understand what is important is sincerity”, he added.
