Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Ekiti state, workers in Ekiti local government service have reassured Governor Biodun Oyebanji of their support in the forthcoming election to deliver no fewer than 200,000 votes at the poll.
The workers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) reststed their position at the grand finale of Ekiti state Local Government mega rally in support of the re-election of the governor in Ado- Ekiti on Monday. They vowed to mobilize themselves and members of their households to vote massively for the governor’s re- election.
The President of NULGE in Ekiti state, Mr Oluseyi Olatunde, who spoke on behalf of the local government workers commended the governor for delivering the needed change which has repositioned local government administration in the state by ensuring conducive working environment for them.
The NULGE President also stressed that the single act of the governor has restored pride and efficiency to the body responsible for managing the career of thousands of local government workers by strengthening their leadership and career progression.
The NULGE president also maintained that the appointment of six staff of local government as Permanent Secretary and others as Executive Secretary positions has opened the frontiers of leadership and new hope for members demonstrating that competence and dedication would always be rewarded by his administration.
In his response, Governor Oyebanji thanked the entire local government staff from the 16 local government areas for reaffirming their commitment to his administration as well as their determination to ensure the return of his government for a second term in office.
Governor Oyebanji, who accepted the offer of the grand patron of NULGE in Ekiti state, said he believes strongly that the state is lucky with the quality of the staff at the local government level judging from the level of development that is taking place in all the local governments as he promised to continue to provide necessary impetus for them to thrive in the discharge of their duties.
“You know one thing is that whatever might have been our achievements in the last three years and seven months, you know you can do more because the problem we have solved in the local government during our first term, we are not coming back to those problems in our second term, we will do more.
“Let me, on behalf of myself, my darling wife, and the government that we are leading, express my profound appreciation to NULGE, from day one that you made up your mind that you are going to support us, you have never wavered. I’m extremely grateful to you, and it’s not that we have done everything for you, but you see the sincerity in our hearts, you see how committed we are to serving our people, and you are ready to make adjustments.
“You know, I’m extremely grateful to you. I listened to the NULGE president very well, and he said something that is my summary of why we are here today, he said, local government workers are ready to deliver on Saturday, that is my takeaway and I know that, as he have said it, everyone has heard, and so shall you be.
“Let me say this, everything we have achieved in the last close to four years, after God almighty, the glory goes to Mr President who has provided the enabling environment and the resources for all the sub-nationals.” He added
The National President of NULGE, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara described Governor Oyebanji as a visionary leader who was well prepared for the leadership position he found himself.
The National President, who was represented by the Vice President (Southwest) Comrade Rufus Babalola said he was happy to identify with the Governor’s unprecedented achievements within a spate of less than four years traversing all sectors and most especially in local government service.
He also commended him for his commitment to the development of local government systems and prioritizing the welfare of the workers.
Also present at the rally were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Chairman, Local Government Service Commission, Chief Alaba Bejide, ALGON Chairman, Chief Oluwasegun Ojo, NLC Chairman, Comrade Kolapo Olusola and array of local government leadership and staff.
