Governor Fatai Ahmed’s re-election bid has been received a boost.
At a meeting at the home of his predecessor , Senator Bukola Saraki, on Thursday, key stakeholders endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term in office.
Though they admitted there were challenges, the stakeholders stated that it was better to endorse Ahmed for a second term in office due to his loyalty to the party, the people and his humility.
A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Aiyedun, after the opening formalities, specially requested the support of other stakeholders from Kwara North and Kwara Central to grant Kwara South the opportunity to produce the state governor for a second term.
Alhaji Aiyedu, who is from the same Kwara South senatorial district with the governor, was said to have hinged the request on the performances of Ahmed and the need to deepen the legacy of continuity and equity.
The Kwara central senatorial chairman, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, according to a source, also aligned with the request of his counterpart from the south.
He said: “Governor Ahmed has shown unequalled humility and loyalty to the party structure, leadership and the people of the state despite his gubernatorial position.
“I, however, advise the governor to ensure wider spread of dividends of democracy across the board.”
A party elder from Kwara North, Senator Ahmed, said the governor had achieved a lot despite the shortfall in revenue.
He, however, advised the governor to consider other zones for political patronage.
The APC woman leader, Sarah Adebayo, on behalf of the women folk endorsed the second term bid with a request that effort should be made to ensure 35 percent affirmative action.
Saraki, who is the APC leader in the state, it was gathered, marvelled at the 100 percent loyalty of the governor, which makes him deserve another term in office.
He hailed Governor Ahmed’s decision to defect with him to APC despite pressure to turn back, adding that Kwara was the only state in the country which had remained peaceful since transition.
Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ilorin on his decision, the Senate Committee Chairman on Ecology and Environment said: “In my own view, I believe that he has performed. He has provided leadership.
“He has built up from where we left. He has been able to bring significant development despite the paucity of funds in the state.
“He has shown responsibility and we believe that another four years for him will be good for the state”.