Workers and pensioners in Osun State on Monday thronged the premises of the state government secretariat in Osogbo to celebrate the re-election victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Saturday’s governorship election.

The workers, who gathered in large numbers, sang solidarity songs, chanted victory slogans and danced in celebration of the governor’s successful bid for a second term in office.

Speaking with journalists during the celebration, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State, Comrade Christopher Arapasopo, attributed Adeleke’s victory to what he described as his administration’s positive disposition towards workers, pensioners and the generality of the people.

Arapasopo said the workers had gathered not only to celebrate the outcome of the election but also to appreciate God and congratulate the people of Osun State for what he described as a “job well done” at the polls.

He said, “Whatever Mr Governor is seeing today is just a result of his good deeds towards workers and pensioners. Welfarism is always a force as far as government is concerned.”

The NLC chairman described the victory as a victory for workers, pensioners and the people of Osun State, urging Adeleke not to forget the promises he made during the electioneering campaign.

According to him, workers and pensioners in the state have demonstrated their support for the governor because they believe his administration has prioritised their welfare.

Arapasopo also described Adeleke as a leader whom he believed God had sent to respond to the yearnings of Osun workers, pensioners and residents, while assuring the governor of continued support from the organised labour.

However, the NLC chairman made a significant political statement during the celebration when he declared the support of Osun workers and pensioners for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027.

Arapasopo, who said he had previously appealed to the President to ensure a free and fair election in Osun State, commended Tinubu for allowing the people’s votes to count in the governorship election.

He said, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the entire labour in Osun State, workers and pensioners, we are supporting you for your second term because you have made us proud. We are with you, Asiwaju.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Osun State, Comrade Abimbola Fasasi, described Adeleke’s victory as an expression of the will of God and a reward for the goodwill the governor had built among residents during his first term.

Fasasi urged workers to reciprocate the governor’s support by becoming more dedicated to their duties, while appealing to Adeleke to do more for the workforce during his second term.

He listed workers’ housing, settlement of outstanding obligations relating to the minimum wage for pensioners, promotion of workers and prompt implementation of any new minimum wage as some of the areas he expected the administration to prioritise.

Fasasi also noted that the purchasing power of workers had been eroded by inflation, stressing the need for the state government to continue to prioritise workers’ welfare.

In his remarks, Comrade Olamilekan Adediran, Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), said Adeleke’s return to office was a reflection of the happiness and satisfaction of workers and residents with his administration.

Adediran said workers had not experienced such a favourable atmosphere in government for many years, particularly in the area of welfare and attention to pensioners.

He urged Adeleke to sustain what he described as the positive policies of his first term and do more for workers and pensioners in the next four years.

The workers’ celebration continued with singing, dancing and chants of solidarity for the governor, as they described his re-election as an endorsement of his administration’s performance and its relationship with the workforce.

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