‘Emulating Murtala Aliyu made me a politician’

Abdulhamid DanKyarko is the nephew of a former Minister of Power and Steel, Alhaji Murtala Aliyu. In this interview, DanKyarko who is the North-East Coordinator of Aspirants Forum of Nigeria, talks about growing up under the care of his uncle, how he infl

Daily Trust: How would you describe your uncle?

He has a huge heart and is very supportive. Aside being humble, he encourages and helps people. He is also a voracious reader.

He has always been a mentor to me. When it comes to education, he goes the extra mile to support. He enjoys playing with kids. I lived in the same house with him. He has always been my mentor and guardian and relates with me as a son. Growing up, he was strict, especially when you say something unethical. There was a time I went to play football instead of going to school. When I returned and saw he was already home, I became afraid because I knew he didn’t take education lightly. But when he noticed how scared I was, he spoke calmly to me. He asked me if I wanted to become a great person in the future and I said yes. So, instead of being angry he encouraged me and told me if I wanted to be in good terms with him, I have to take schooling seriously. He later gave me a drink.

DT: What fun childhood memory do you have about him?

He enjoys horse-riding and playing golf, so whenever he goes to the golf course, he took us along. He would hold my hand and show me how to hit the ball. Sometimes he would carry me in front of him on the horse.

DT: When did it dawn on you that your uncle is a renown Nigerian?

That was when he became Minister for Power and I saw how aides and security followed him. Interestingly, sometimes he preferred to sit up front with the driver.

DT: What misconception about him would you like to correct?

Some people think he is a proud person. But when you get close enough you realise, he isn’t.

DT: What easily gets him upset and why? He hates being lied to and detests when people take short cuts instead of following the rules or due process. Even if he is going to help you get a job, he likes to know that you are qualified and confirm that you have actually applied.

DT: If he wasn’t a Quantity Surveyor, what other profession

DanKyarko: He had eighty per cent influence. He was the one who said earlier in my life, that I would make a good politician. I eventually studied Political Science and International Studies. So, he is the reason why I chose the latter course. He is the reason why I decided to be a politician and why I have a good political network today. He taught me to watch my back also.

I remember when I applied for Political Science and he asked me why I made that choice. I told him he makes people feel valuable and I want to do the same. He then told me that anybody can be a politician.

DT: When you are with him these days, what do you talk about?

DanKyarko: We talk about Nigeria. He likes to ask my opinion about the two major political parties in the country, the APC and PDP.

He is a knowledgeable politician and a good adviser who can predict outcomes. He would have made a very good lecturer because he knows how to explain things to people