Members and leaders of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Friday, threw their weight behind the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Asue Ighodalo, promising to come out in their numbers on September 21 to ensure his victory in the governorship election.
The workers endorsed the PDP candidate during their ‘Thank You Rally’ at the Government House, in Benin City, to appreciate the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for building the Labour House and implementing several bold reforms and programmes to guarantee the welfare of workers in the State.
They were led by the Chairmen of NLC, Comrade Odion Olaye and his TUC counterpart, Idubor James Aighomwanhi.
Governor Obaseki who thanked the workers for the cordial working relationship with his administration in the last eight years without recording a single strike, commended them for throwing their weight behind the PDP candidate.
Expressing confidence that the party will come out victorious in the September 21 guber polls, Obaseki urged the workers to come out en masse to vote for the party and stay to defend their votes against the manipulation of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).
He said, “I have governed Edo State for almost 8 years now and there has never been a single strike. It has become a tradition that before the 26th of every month you get your salaries, as well as pensions.
“We are making savings to pay the backlog of arrears of 40 years. By the time Dr. Asue Ighodalo finishes there will not be any gratuity outstanding. We would have cleared almost N40 billion outstanding. Meanwhile, people who claimed to be comrades and come from your constituency treated you badly.
“We have been enjoying democracy for the past 25 years and democracy must work for Nigeria to survive. Democracy means that the people’s wishes must be respected. Democracy means that we must abide by our constitution and our constitution. The purpose of government is the welfare of the citizens of the State.
“I am here with a man that has the love of Edo people at heart. He is not a poor man or a man looking for money. Asue Ighodalo has been part of all we have been doing. By the grace of God and by your endorsement, I have no doubt that he will win this election.”
He added, “I thank you for endorsing Asue Ighodalo. I have laid the foundation but Asue Ighodalo will build on it to make Edo great again.”
Thanking the workers for the endorsement, Ighodalo promised to prioritise the welfare of the workers if elected.
He said with the support of the workers and other Edo people, he was confident that the PDP will win the September 21 guber poll.
Appreciating the governor, the NLC Chairman, Odion Olaye thanked the governor for setting aside N200 million monthly to offset the backlog of gratuity in the State.
He said, “The TUC and NLC are here today to thank you for what you have done for Edo State workers. Prompt payment of salaries and pensions has become your trademark for almost 8 years now.
“Edo workers have endorsed the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo as we will all come out en masse on September 21st to vote for the party to ensure continuity in the State. We will vote and defend our votes.”
On his part, the TUC Chairman hailed the governor’s developmental stride in the last eight years, assuring the votes of members of the TUC to thank him for investing in their welfare.
