NLC, TUC endorse Obaseki for gov •As Catholic body, stakeholders sue for peace

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have thrown their weight behind the candidacy of Mr Godwin Obaseki, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At a solidarity gathering to honour Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Benin City, Chairman of the NLC, Mr Emmanuel Ademokun said: “arising from the achievements of the governor’s administration and coupled with the fact that he has done us proud being a man from our constituency, we are pleased that as he prepares to end his second tenure as the governor of the state, we need to assist him and give him all the necessary support to enable his legacies to be sustained.

“I ask for the massive support of all the workers and working people in the state by voting en masse for Godwin Obaseki.

“I don’t want us to return to the years of regrets. You know what we passed through then. It is on this note that we in the labour movement have resolved not to stay aloof.

“To our governor, we are very grateful to you for making us proud and for your continuous support.

“We are here to appreciate his past performance in the governance of this state for almost eight years now. Edo State is the first state being the heartbeat of Nigeria to produce a labour as a chief executive of any state in Nigeria. Before his ascension as governor, labour leaders were only referred to as workers and not as good managers.

“He has proved that labour leaders are the best managers in governance.

“A trip around the 18 local government areas of the state shows a wider spread of people-oriented projects, executed and being executed by his government.”

Governorship candidate of the APC, Mr Godwin Obaseki, who was elated with the labour movement’s support, said “I just want to assure you that today because I have been part and parcel of the Edo project from the beginning, I accept full responsibility for the decisions we have made.

“My candidacy has offered me the opportunity to continue from where Comrade Oshiomhole will stop. I will continue to emphasise good and quality labour relations, and the payment of salaries. I will spend more time on human capacity development to build a stronger civil service, without which we won’t be able to accomplish our goals and developmental agenda.”

Meanwhile, a Catholic organisation, Justice Development and Peace Caritas Initiatives (JDPCI), has solicited the cooperation and collaboration of all stakeholders towards a proactive peace accord initiative for the Edo State governorship election.

Executive Director of the body, Reverend Father Fidelis Arhedo, in a statement said the peace accord would help a great deal to reshape people’s thinking and values for the state.

The cleric urged every citizen of the state, irrespective of political affiliations, to uphold the dignity of human sanctity and rights that promote peace.

He called on all to work towards a peaceful, free, fair and conclusive Edo State governorship election.

“We are afraid today because of the aftermath of the recent elections held in Rivers, Beyelsa and Imo states that were declared inconclusive amidst violence that characterized these elections not to be peaceful, free and fair

“We must desist from using thugs during election to steal ballot papers and boxes as well as the disappearance of vital documents from polling centres”, he said.

He advocated for community surveillance throughout the state that will guarantee peaceful environment for the election.

He similarly called for building of the capacity of stakeholders in the state for critical consciousness, collective assertiveness for their mandate, and also to build their synergy in more proactive measures that will help to eliminate manipulation in the electoral process.