Transport workers in Ekiti State under the aegis of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers of Nigeria (RTEAN) and National Association of Cooperative Transporters (NACT), have declared their support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re- election saying that his impressive performance in office remains his strongest campaign for the June 20 election.
The transport workers maintained that the Governor’s achievements in office, coupled with his positive disposition to transport workers has already done the campaigning for him, adding that his development projects and leadership style have earned him widespread support .
Speaking during a strategic engagement with the Governor in Ado Ekiti on Monday, the NURTW Chairman, Chief Omotayo Falope, said all road transport workers in the state are solidly behind the Governor and will mobilise aggressively for his re-election as a way of thanking the Governor .
He described the Governor as “God sent”, stressing that his administration’s achievements are unprecedented. The Union leader also stated that the Governor has positively impacted every aspect of the state economy making business easy for them.
RTEAN State Chairman, Mr Sunday Adeola, explained that Governor Oyebanji’s road infrastructure has eased the pains of road users as well as transport owners.
He listed some of the roads to include Ado-Ekiti internal roads, Itawure-Okemesi road, Ara-Ikole-isinbode road, Ijelu-itapa-Omu road, Ikere-ilawe road ; Igbaraodo to Ikogosi road among others
Also speaking, NACT Chairman, Mr Kehinde Afolabi, commended Governor Oyebanji for reconciling all the transport workers unions in the state, thereby restoring peace and stability within the unions through the appointment of the advisory council for union matters.
He maintained that the initiative has enhanced harmony among the transport unions and pledged that members of the various transport unions would mobilize aggressively for the governor’s re-election as a way of appreciating him.
In his remarks, Governor Oyebanji appreciated and commended the transport unions for their support for his administration and for sustaining peace among their members across the state, noting that the level of harmony among the unions is unprecedented and has contributed immensely to the peaceful atmosphere and development being experienced in the state.
Describing the forthcoming election as important to the continued progress in the state, the Governor urged the transport unions to translate talk into action by mobilising massively for his re-election.
Oyebanji attributed the achievements of his administration to the support and ledership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the spate of development being witnessed in the state was made possible by the backing of the Federal Government. He urged the transport workers to thank the President by voting massively for his party.
The Governor said “I am just here to thank you for the peace you have maintained in Ekiti, I am extremely grateful to all the three unions for your support, cooperation, understanding and patients with our administration. It is because of this peace that we were able to do everything we are doing, either prompt payment of salaries, construction of roads and hospitals, electricity, water, payment of pension and gratuity and many others.
“As I sat there listening to the Chairman mentioning the roads we have done, I can’t but thank God and also thank President Tinubu. You can see all the roads we are doing across the state and we just awarded some roads again. For this to continue and for us to fulfil all the promises made to you, you must return us back to office.
Also in his remarks, the Director-General of the Governor’s campaign, Council, Sen. Cyryl fasuyi urged the transport unions to mobilise massively for the Governor’s re-election, stressing that sustaining the peace, stability and development being witnessed in the state requires continuity in leadership.
While calling on the unions o ensure overwhelming support for the Governor across the state, Senator Cyril said the campaign target is to secure victory in all the 177 wards in the state.
Also present at the forum were the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, Chief of Staff to the Governor and secretary of the Campaign Council, Mr Niyi Adebayo, among others.
