Adeleke declares Friday work-free for Osun workers ahead of poll

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, a work-free day for public servants across the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The declaration was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, and shared by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday.

The state government said the decision was intended to allow workers who need to travel to their places of registration to do so and participate in the election.

However, workers performing emergency and essential duties are exempted from the declaration.

Adeleke also urged workers, their relatives and other residents to participate actively in the election and protect their votes.

In a pre-election message, the governor commended organised labour and civil servants for supporting his administration, describing the relationship between the government and workers as mutually beneficial.

“The time for action has come. As formal workers at state establishments, I task you to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional bodies,” Adeleke said.

He urged residents to defend their constitutional right to vote, saying the election presented an opportunity to consolidate what he described as the achievements of his administration.

Adeleke also called on voters to protect the gains recorded during his three-and-a-half years in office.

“We must defend the gains of the last three and half years plus. Ours is a workers-friendly government which has delivered across board to labour and Osun people. We cannot and must not allow a return to dark days,” he said.