By Tomi Lala
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State chapter, has endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in office, declaring that “there’s no vacancy in Bola Ige House Come 2026”
The declaration came during the 2025 Workers Day celebration held on Wednesday at Fakunle High School, Osogbo the state capital.
In his solidarity speech, NLC State Chairman, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, commended Adeleke’s labour friendly policies, timely payment of salaries, pensions, and the implementation of promotions and conversions for civil servants.
He said, “This day, is a day to commemorate and appreciate the contributions of workers to national development. It also serves as a day to raise both national and international consciousness on the importance of promoting and protecting the rights of workers. Our goal is to ensure that the welfare of workers both serving officers and pensioners are attended to by the Government without being compromised.
“I appreciate our Comrade Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State, for his gracious, seamless, rancor-freed and workers friendly administration.
“In less than 3 years, Mr. Governor has attended to almost all workers’ requests in Osun State. In fact, your governance is unprecedented. You will emphatically believe with me that Mr. Governor deserves a second term in office as the Executive Governor of Osun State till 203
“We make bold to say that the workers of Osun State are solidly behind you,” “The Bola Ige House is not vacant in 2026.” Arapasopo declared.
In his response, Governor Adeleke, appreciated Osun workers for their support while re-assuring his administration’s commitment to workers’ welfare.
“I empathize with all workers on the high cost of living in the country. The economic situation has not been easy for the citizenry. We feel your pains as a government that remains committed to your welfare at all cost.
“As a subnational government, we have been collaborating with the Federal Government to ease the burden of economic hardship. As a matter of policy, we have gone out of our ways to ensure the success of Federal efforts. We back the centre to reform the national economy and ease the burden on our people.
“At the state level, our government is repositioning the state economy to service the people. We are managing state resources in ways and manners that no sector is left behind. While we are not borrowing to fund governance, we have reduced the inherited state debt by over 40 percent. The Debt Management Office confirmed as much in its recent reports.
“I have just approved, through the Office of the Head of Service, the payment of bonds for retirees under the contributory pension scheme worth over N4b.
“I have equally approved, through the Office of the Head of Service, the commencement of the promotion exercises for Year 2025 for eligible officers and staff across the entire public service, including the Local Governments.
“As I speak, the April 2025 salaries and allowances have been paid to all categories of workers across the State.
“We have continued unabated, the payment of a 30 months backlog of half salaries. As a matter of fact, we have almost completed payment of the 30 months half salaries in respect of contributory pensioners.
“As we celebrate the 2025 May Day rally, we can beat our chest and affirm that we remain truly pro-workers, pro-people and pro-good governance. Our government has not, will not betray the confidence Osun workers snd people reposed in us”, the Governor added.
