APC gains boost in Kwara North as former SDP candidate Manko defects
Hon. Adamu Atahiru Manko, the former Kwara North senatorial candidate under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection took place on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Kpada Ward 2 in Patigi Local Government Area, where Manko was warmly received and presented with his APC membership card.
The event drew a crowd of notable APC stakeholders, including the Chairman of Patigi Local Government, Hon. Rufai Ahmed; the APC Chairman in Patigi LG; Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Usman Lade; the member representing Patigi constituency at the State House of Assembly; as well as party leaders and loyalists.
Speaking during the ceremony, Manko explained that his move to the APC was inspired by a desire to align with the developmental vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and the leadership style of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
“I stand before you with a heart full of conviction and a vision rooted in the progress and prosperity of our dear state,” he said. “Joining the APC is a deliberate step toward aligning with a platform that shares this vision and has demonstrated a commitment to good governance.”
Manko stressed that his defection was not driven by personal ambition but by a shared aspiration to build a better Kwara State, particularly in the northern region. He pledged to contribute his experience, energy, and ideas to advance the APC’s mission.
His defection is widely regarded as a major boost for the APC in Kwara North, with party insiders expressing confidence that his influence and grassroots network will enhance the party’s strength ahead of future elections.