Local government workers in Ekiti State have pledged financial and political support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election campaign, donating ₦10 million as a demonstration of their commitment to his leadership. The announcement was made on Thursday during a meeting with senior council officials at the Governor’s Office in Ado-Ekiti.
The donation was presented in the form of a cheque by the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oluseyi Olatunde. He said the gesture reflected the collective resolve of council workers across the 16 Local Government Councils and 22 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to ensure Oyebanji secures a second term in office.
Olatunde praised the governor’s administration, describing it as “a golden era” for workers in Ekiti State. He commended Oyebanji for what he called transformative policies that had changed the fortunes of local government employees, adding that his leadership had restored both dignity and confidence in the service.
He said the decision of NULGE members to support Oyebanji was not just about continuity of governance, but also about preserving the progress and stability achieved since the governor assumed office. According to him, the governor’s performance so far has convinced local government staff that he is the right choice to sustain the pace of development in Ekiti.
“The governor is the answer to the prayers of Ekiti people, and we will not allow anybody to truncate the progress being enjoyed under his administration,” Olatunde said. He pledged that council workers would continue to mobilise support and resources to secure Oyebanji’s re-election.
Highlighting Oyebanji’s achievements in the local government sector, the NULGE president listed several initiatives undertaken by the administration. These included the payment of five months’ salary arrears owed to workers, the regular settlement of deductions, the payment of leave bonus arrears, and the implementation of a ₦70,000 minimum wage.
Other accomplishments mentioned were the construction of an ultra-modern office complex for council administration, the payment of seven months’ gratuity arrears, and the elevation of local government officers to the rank of Permanent Secretaries. Olatunde said these steps had significantly improved staff welfare and boosted morale across local councils in the state.
Governor Oyebanji, in response, expressed appreciation to the workers for their support and financial contribution. He described the gesture as a clear endorsement of his administration’s policies and reaffirmed his commitment to prioritising the welfare of workers in Ekiti. He also assured them that his government would not relent in sustaining the reforms that had brought about visible progress at the grassroots.
The development comes as preparations intensify ahead of the next gubernatorial election in Ekiti State. Political observers note that Oyebanji’s growing support among public sector workers could play a decisive role in the contest, given the influence of organised labour in grassroots mobilisation.
The public donation by council workers marks one of the most visible endorsements of the governor’s re-election bid so far, reflecting his administration’s rapport with the local government system. It also underscores the broader theme of labour unions actively shaping the political landscape in Nigeria, especially at the state level.
