As the count down to the 2015 general elections begins, Kwara State will no doubt be a focal point of political analysts due to the growing level of opposition there.

The development is coming on the heels of the endorsement of the incumbent governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, by Senator Bukola Saraki, to vie for a second term in office.

The much-expected backing has confirmed the growing influence Saraki, a former governor of the state, wields in Kwara's politics.

How else would political pundits have explained the development at 'Agbaaji', the traditional home of the scion of politics in Kwara and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Saraki, when, for the first time in the recent history of the state, it's producing a governorship aspirant under a different party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?

Besides, the same political ward has produced a minister, Dr. Olanrewaju Suleiman, who at present is the Minister of National Planning and Deputy Chairman, National Planning Commission.

Hajia Bola Shagaya, a touted multi-millionaire and an alleged friend of Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan, is equally from the ward.

The Chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Professor Shuaib Oba-Abdulraheem, hails from Agbaaji ward, as well.

These indexes look 'strange' in a political environment that has remained under the dominance of the Sarakis for over four decades.

Dr. Sulaiman said the "domination" must stop if Kwarans would enjoy the dividends of democracy under the present dispensation.

However, ahead of the governorship election in Kwara State, a non-governmental organisation, Professor Oba Beneficiaries Forum (POBEF), has resorted to raising funds for the ambition of a PDP governorship aspirant, Professor Oba-Abdulraheem.

The POBEF has raised N25 million in Ilorin, to support the ambition of Oba-Abdulraheem, a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, to run in the 2015 race.

The group has also donated six newly branded vehicles for the electioneering campaign activities of the don, stressing that N12.5 million of the total sum would be used to purchase expression of interest form while the remaining N12.5 million would be kept for miscellaneous expenses.

The coordinator of the Forum, Mallam Abdulrasheed Ajao, stated this in Ilorin while delivering his address at the event. He noted that the forum is composed of over 1,000 members cutting across the nation.

Although it appears the "gang up" against Saraki is formidable enough to scare him, the politician, who caught his political teeth from the school of his late dad, Dr. Olusola Saraki, seems to have devised sufficient strategies to ward off the "attacks."

According to Suleiman Yusuf, a political aide to Saraki, "who among these people gunning for governorship from Agbaaji have political values?

"These people can't even win elections in their homes talk less of the state as an entity. We don't make noise as Sarakites. We instead work hard on our supporters not to be deceived by these political featherweights that have noting to offer them.

"You will see that immediately after the polls, when they would have been badly defeated, they would run away from the state. They are veteran political aspirants."

"Very soon, he (Saraki) will embark on ward to ward visitation of his supporters."

Already, Saraki, the Kwara APC leader, and other party stakeholders from the state have endorsed Governor Ahmed for a second term in office.

The endorsement was the outcome of a crucial meeting held at Ile-Arugbo, Ilorin. Ile Arugbo is the political square of the late Kwara political titan, Senator Olusola Saraki.

In his remarks, Alhaji Jimoh Adesina, from Asa Local Government Area and Kwara North senatorial chairman, said he aligned with the request of Kwara South for a second term.

Adesina said Governor Ahmed has shown unequal humility and loyalty to the party structure, leadership and the people of the state despite his gubernatorial position.

He, however, advised the governor to ensure wider spread of dividends of democracy across the board.

In a similar vein, a party elder from Kwara North, Senator Hamad Ahmed, said Governor Ahmed has achieved a lot despite the shortfall in revenue. But he advised the governor to consider other zones for political patronages.

The general consensus was that Governor Ahmed stood out for ensuring peace and harmony within the party during his first tenure and that while there are challenges, it was better to endorse him for a second term in office due to his loyalty to the leadership, to the party and the people and his humility.

In response, Governor Ahmed said his humility and loyalty were innate and that having won the confidence of Saraki, he was morally bound to show loyalty to the structure and leadership that produced him.

He promised his commitment to the ideals of the party and the good of the people of the state.

In his remarks, Senator Saraki told the stakeholders, comprising five representatives from each of the 16 existing councils, that Governor Ahmed has been 100 per cent loyal and deserved his endorsement for a second term in office.

Referring to the governor's decision to decamp with him to the APC, Saraki commended him for remaining steadfast despite serious pressure to betray. He noted that Kwara is the only state in the country, which has remained peaceful in the face of a transition.

If Saraki could survive the present political "gang up," which has appeared as an acid test in his career, he may rule the state as a political leader until his last breath.