Organised labour in Osun State on Monday declared support for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke, citing what they described as unprecedented improvements in workers’ welfare, prompt salary payments and pension reforms under his administration.
The endorsement came at the “A Day with Mr Governor” interactive town hall organised by the Osun State Joint Labour Movement at the OHIS Multipurpose Hall, Government Secretariat, Osogbo.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, described Governor Adeleke as “a humble, diligent and worker-friendly leader” who has consistently prioritised the welfare of civil servants since assuming office.
According to Aina, the administration has recorded remarkable achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and other people-oriented programmes, adding that the governor’s commitment to good governance had earned him the confidence and support of the state’s workforce.
The Chairman of the Osun State Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Lekan Adediran, said workers had witnessed a significant turnaround under the Adeleke administration after years of hardship.
“There is no doubt that Governor Ademola Adeleke has performed creditably since assuming office. Before he came on board, workers endured years of hardship, including the payment of half salaries. Today, that has become history,” he said.
Adediran commended the governor for implementing the new minimum wage and paying pensioners’ gratuities, describing the achievements as unprecedented in the state’s recent history.
He urged civil servants to support the governor at the polls, declaring: “We are going to deliver our votes for you.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Osun State, Comrade Bimbo Fasasi, praised the governor for consistently responding to the needs of workers.
“There is hardly any request made by workers that you have not responded to. You have remained faithful to your promises on workers’ welfare and labour-related issues,” Fasasi said, while pledging the continued cooperation of organised labour with the administration.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, described Governor Adeleke’s record on workers’ welfare as outstanding, saying the administration had fulfilled major promises made to civil servants.
According to him, the implementation of the ₦75,554.24 minimum wage, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and the clearance of over ₦80 billion in inherited salary and pension obligations had restored workers’ confidence in government.
He noted that nearly 70 per cent of the 12-year pension backlog had been paid, while promotions approved by previous administrations without financial backing had been fully implemented.
Arapasopo also pointed out that several former public office holders, including former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and other ex-government officials, benefited from the payment of outstanding half salaries by the Adeleke administration.
Declaring labour’s position ahead of the August 15 governorship election, he said, “No matter the level of intimidation and harassment, workers will come out en masse and cast their votes for Governor Ademola Adeleke.”
Responding, Governor Adeleke thanked the leadership of the NLC, TUC and JNC for organising the town hall, describing workers and pensioners as partners in governance.
“I have always regarded Osun workers and pensioners as partners in governance. From the very first day we assumed office, we made a promise to restore the dignity of the Osun worker, and we backed our promises with deliberate actions,” the governor said.
Adeleke said his administration had implemented the ₦75,000 minimum wage, restored regular payment of salaries and pensions, cleared over ₦80 billion in inherited salary and pension obligations, restored the office of Permanent Secretaries, funded outstanding promotions and enrolled pensioners and traditional rulers into the Osun Health Insurance Scheme free of charge.
He added that teachers had been recruited while thousands of youths had benefited from empowerment and digital training programmes.
Reaffirming his commitment to workers’ welfare, the governor declared: “Be rest assured that once the newly proposed minimum wage is agreed upon, I am ready to give it immediate approval and implementation in Osun State.”
As the governorship election draws nearer, Adeleke urged workers to convert their support into votes.
“Your PVC is your voice. Your vote for Imole is your power. Please come out courageously, vote early and encourage your families, neighbours and friends to do the same. We should not bow to intimidation,” he said.
He assured workers that his administration would consolidate on its achievements, adding, “Together, we have achieved a great deal. Together, we shall achieve even greater things.”
