By Alofe Ayomoses
The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ekiti State, Pharm. Olatunde Joshua Kolapo, has declared his full support for the candidature of the All Progressives Congress guber candidate, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji ahead of the Gubernatorial election slated for June 18 this year.
He made the declaration of support at the Anchor support programme organised by the campaign team of the guber candidate on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti.
The pharmacist turned labour leader praised the guber candidate for his support while in office as the secretary to the state government. He said the assistance rendered to the Labour leaders in the state and the entire workforce of Ekiti remains indelible in his heart.
Stating the reason for declaring his support for Oyebanji, Pharm Olatunde said “On continuity, we as workers have somebody we can run to. We have somebody that understands the system. We have someone who understands the nuances of governance and we have somebody that has the link with the federal government. I therefore have no option within me than to mobilise workers of Ekiti state to a direction that can pay everybody”
Furthermore, the Labour leader said the state government deserves praise for the payment of salaries as and when due and also, the payment of arrears compared to other neighbouring state
“I stand in for Ekiti workers and the wage bill of Ekiti state is in the neighbourhood of 3.2 billion and what we get from the federal government is not always sufficient to pay salaries but Mr. BAO will always advise Governor Kayode Fayemi to allow them look inward so as to enable the government pay salaries as and when due.”.
The Labour leader further expressed happiness that the Contributory pension arrears that has been owed since 2018 till date have been defrayed by this government.
Also at the event, the representative of the support group for BAO in the local Government through one of their member, Prince Adesuyi Adesanmi showered encomium on the government of Governor Kayode Fayemi for giving them Biodun Oyebanji.
The union leader expressed joy that the current government of the APC has brought prosperity to the local government better than any government in Ekiti State.
“Local Government have not enjoyed the dividend of democracy like this in the history of Ekiti state.
“The appointment of HLAs is being done by this government and Additional LCDAS that gives automatic promotion to workers of the Local Government in the state are being created.” He said.
The Prince thereafter admonish the people not to allow anyone cajole them with the sugar coated mouth. He enjoined the people to vote en masse for Biodun Oyebanji.
In his reaction, the APC guber candidate, appreciates the overwhelming support from the various support groups. He admits that the support from people is unprecedented and admonished them to focus more on the goal of the campaign and ensure that the message is taken to every door step of every citizen in the state.
“If performance is a yardstick to electoral victory, we have nothing to fear. I have not seen campaigns that people have taken over like this, the best I can do is to make you proud. We have a good product and a government that has done so well, go to the street and tell them what this administration has done” Oyebanji said
Leaders on the Entourage of the guber candidate include the Deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs. Monisade Afuye, High Chief Jide Awe,Rt. Hon Funminiyi Afuye, Speaker Ekiti state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Franklin Olatunbosun, the chairman Assembly Service Commission and others.
Liar, you don’t have any justification for this your declaration,definitely the chairman has been bought