Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has solicited the support of workers in the state for the candidates of his party All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of this Saturday’s State House of Assembly election.
The workers who came from all the eighteen(18) local government areas of the state converged on the state Cenotaph in Akure, the state capital demanded payment of their various outstanding entitlements including 2018 leave bonus and salary arrears.
The Governor stressed that there was need for the next legislative arm and the executive arm to work together so as to ensure smooth running of Government.
“The stability we have up till now, let us continue with it. Our Assembly we have now is completed. Though we have some hiccups among them because of this dichotomy. I know you understand all I am saying because I know you are politically aware.
“I want you to do whatever you can do, I want to beg you ( workers ) to go home and work on this, ” Akeredolu said.
While the Governor was speaking, the workers however interrupted him shouting ” no money, no vote, no money, no vote, money! money!! money !!!. apparently referring to the payment of their entitlements.
Akeredolu continued: “We know you are all men and women of integrity and I am very proud of that. If not for that, I won’t be here as Governor today.
He told the workers that the Saturday’s house of assembly election is very important to his government.
“When it is on Friday, we will give you the chance to travel to your various towns.”
The workers again interrupted the Governor, shouting money, money ,money, no money no vote, no money, no vote.
The Head of Service, Toyin Akinkuotu later whispered into the Governor’s ears who later promised the workers that their leave bonus and one month salary arrears would be paid after the house of Assembly election.
Workers however reacted to Governor Akeredolu’s comment by singing “Ko sowo, ko sibo” ( No Money, No Votes ).
Akinkuotu noted that Governor Akeredolu deserves commendation for doing a lot to alleviate the pains of workers inherited from the immediate past administration.
“It is on record that no worker is harassed or intimidated by Akeredolu’s administration. The person who alleviated our pains by constantly paying our salaries deserve our commendation.
“He has substantially paid our salary arrears. Promotion of civil servants and other benefits are not left out. We are bold to say that Akeredolu is fulfilling all his pre-election promises to Ondo State civil servants,” Akinkuotu said.