FORMER governor of Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, and other stakeholders have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term in office.

This lay to rest months of speculations and anxiety that the Senate Committee Chairman on Ecology and Environment might not consider his godson for another term in office.

The endorsement was the outcome of a crucial meeting at Government Reserved Area (GRA) Ilorin home of Senator Saraki on Thursday night.

The general consensus at the meeting was that Governor Ahmed stood out for ensuring peace and harmony within the party during his first tenure.

Though they admitted there are challenges, the stakeholders stated 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 The source quoted Alhaji Adesina to have 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 has 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. Referring to Governor Ahmed’s decision to defect with him to APC, Saraki hailed him for remaining steadfast despite serious pressure to turn back.

He added that Kwara is the only state in the country which has remained peaceful despite a transition.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the state capital, on his decision, Saraki 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 leaves him in that direction for another four years for him will be good for the state."