The Organised Labour in Lagos State, on Thursday, endorsed the re-election of the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for another four years in office.
Speaking during the rally, organised by the unions, tagged, ‘Labour4Sanwo-Olu’, held at the Police Training College in Ikeja, Lagos, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the unions for supporting his administration.
Sanwo-Olu described the workers’ endorsement as “a well-considered decision”, saying the gesture would be reciprocated with more efforts to improve the lives of workers in Lagos.
He said: “Going by this Organised Labour endorsement, I have no doubt we are coming back better and stronger.
“We will embark on governance much more than we have done and provide the best workplace for you to flourish.
“This endorsement is a confirmation that workers believe in our leadership and we will not take you for granted.
“It is only when we are committed to doing more for you that we believe we would have made the best impact on your lives and those of your children.
“Our government is for the people; we will not disappoint you. On behalf of my political party, I accept the endorsement as your choice and I promise not to let you down.
READ ALSO: Osun PDP alleges APC plot to attack tribunal
“The endorsement must now be supported by voting for APC candidates in the presidential election and state elections.”
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matter and Industrial Relations, Hon. Babatunde Williams, said the labour’s endorsement testified to the “complete trust” the workers had in the governor and the APC.
Also speaking at the rally, the Lagos NLC chairman, Comrade Funmilayo Sessi, said the move was not to politicise the Organised Labour, stressing that the unions were not comfortable to sit on the fence in a governorship election in which Sanwo-Olu, whom she described as “the most labour-friendly governor”, is contesting.
Sessi said the Organised Labour met in congresses prior to the rally to sample the opinions of people in the labour movement about gubernatorial contenders in Lagos.
She said the decision to support Sanwo-Olu was made after members of the Organised Labour unanimously endorsed Sanwo-Olu based on his fulfillment of promises to the movement.
The NLC chairman said: “Before we embarked on this rally, we all agreed at our respective congresses to support Sanwo-Olu to continue as our governor.
“We have made the decision before today but we only came out to display our solidarity with him publicly. What we have done right in our house, we are showing it to the world.
“This is the first time the Organised Labour in Lagos is taking open position to endorse candidate of a political party.
“We are doing this because Sanwo-Olu has introduced unprecedented reforms to improve the welfare and the wellbeing of workers. We are coming out with our full chest to support the governor.
“We are deciding our fate by being part of the electorate that will return the most labour-friendly governor. This is the decision all workers agreed upon and there is no going back.”
At the Sanwo-Olu endorsement rally were leaders and members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), National Union of Teachers (NUT), Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), and association of herbal medicine dealers.
- Atiku: FG awarded Lagos-Calabar highway to Tinubu’s ally - May 5, 2024
- UK: Only PhD students eligible to bring dependants - May 5, 2024
- Driver dies after crashing into White House gate - May 5, 2024
