A business mogul and former Social Democratic Party (SDP) senatorial candidate for Kwara North in the 2023 general elections, Alhaji Adamu Attahiru Manko, has thrown his weight behind the Kwara North governorship agenda ahead of the 2027 polls.
Manko, who recently rejoined the All Progressives Congress (APC), made this declaration on Tuesday while hosting members of the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) at his residence in Ilorin.
The Patigi-born politician expressed strong support for the zoning of the state’s governorship seat to Kwara North, emphasizing equity, justice, and fairness.
“I am in full support of the agitation for zoning the governorship seat to Kwara North in 2027. It is time for our zone to produce the next governor. Kwara Central has held the seat for 18 years through Lawal, Saraki, and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. Kwara South also had eight years. For justice and fairness, Kwara North should take the lead in 2027,” Manko stated.
He noted that while politics remains a game of numbers, it is important to appeal to other regions of the state to support the cause.
“We will continue to lobby, appeal, and engage key stakeholders within the APC to support the Kwara North agenda,” he added.
Highlighting potential candidates from the region, Manko mentioned Senator Sadiq Umar and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, as competent individuals capable of leading the state.
“With personalities like Senator Sadiq Umar and Rt. Hon. Yakubu Salihu-Danladi, among others, showing interest, we are confident that Kwara North will present a united front come 2027,” he said.
Speaking on his defection from the SDP back to the APC, Manko confirmed his intention to re-contest the Kwara North Senatorial seat in the next election cycle.
“My return to the APC is a homecoming. My father was a progressive-minded politician for over 40 years. The ideology of the APC aligns with my philosophy, and my people in 2023 encouraged me to return. What happened then was a political necessity, but now I am back home,” he explained.
Manko also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for implementing people-oriented policies, programmes, and projects, describing their performance as commendable and beneficial to the masses.
