Two-days to swearing-in of a new government in Oyo state, a civil society organization, Agitators for Good Governance in Nigeria (AGGIN), Oyo state chapter on Monday urged the striking workers in the state to resume duties with the new Governor, Mr. Seyi Makinde.
The union called on the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the incoming governor of the state to strike a deal in ensuring smooth take-off of the new administration.
Workers at all levels in the state had last week embarked on indefinite strike as part of their effort to demand for payment of arrears of promotion benefits; arrears of salaries owed some local governments; tertiary institutions, among others.
AGGIN in a statement signed by its Assistant Secretary General, Ms Oluwafunmilayo Bankole urged Makinde to honour all agreements he made to his coalition partners spearheaded by a former governor Rashidi Ladoja so as to hit the ground running for industrial harmony.
The group tasked Makinde to be sincere with the workers, just as it cautioned the labour unions against grounding government activities beyond June 3 when new administration fully resume activities.
The statement reads: ”the new administration is yet to be inaugurated, the incoming governor should not be expected to perform magic. Makinde who is yet to be sworn in can’t determine what is in government purse, nor is it possible now for Makinde to know the amount coming from the federal government as allocation for the month of May and June, even the internal revenue which no one can actually give the real figure of what is coming in monthly, can’t be determined by him.”
The group also appealed to Makinde to emulate the performance of Ladoja while he was the state’s chief executive, as governor.
“We call on Makinde to give no room to sycophants and political termites presently revolving round him but to emulate the good works of the respected High Chief of Ibadanland, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja while in office as the governor of the state. His policies and programmes on education, health, agriculture, sport, payment of workers salaries and entitlement are worthy of emulation.”
The group went further to advise the governor-elect on what the actors of the amalgamation that produced him as consensus candidate, because same people worked tirelessly to ensure his victory at the poll, adding that, “perhaps people still don’t realize that the difference between Makinde and APC candidate Adebayo Adelabu at the poll, was the credentials of the people each candidate leaned on; those who campaigned for them, after all none of the two has ever represented their people in the past.
“We equally call on other coalition leaders, Chief Sharafadeen Alli, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin and Chief Bolaji Ayorinde to remember their promise to the good people of the state that they were after the restoration of the pride, progress and prosperity of the state and should therefore join hands with the new Governor for the success of his administration.
It also reminded Makinde not to forget those statements and promises he made during the amalgamation when other candidates stepped down for him. He said “I am humbled, because all these gentlemen that stepped down for me, are more qualified. I thank you all, especially my father Osi Olubadan, Senator Rashidi Ladoja who made this a reality. I promise that the intent of our coming together will be fully implemented when I become governor.”
The group also gave credits to the leaderships of the two notable religions in the state; Christian Association of Nigeria and the Muslim Association of Nigeria for ensuring peaceful existence among the followers of the two religions, while the transition lasted.
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