‘We want a governor that is ready to pay our arrears’

The Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Osun State chapter, Comrade Jacob Adekomi, in this interview by OLUWOLE IGE, speaks on the expectations of state workers from the incoming government and challenges of the civil servants, among other issues. Excerpts:

What are your expectations as the people of the state warm up for the September 22 governorship poll?

We are quite aware that by September 22, people will go to the poll. We want to appeal to the workers to vote for whoever will defend their course. We want, whoever, that is ready to put workers› welfare at the front burner. We want somebody that is ready for the development of the state – Somebody that knows his onions. At the same time we want a government that is ready to do the bidding of the workers. We want our salaries in full and want a governor that is ready to pay our arrears. We want full salary and whoever that is coming must be ready to take the bull by the horns and pay our salaries. We are saying that era of half or modulated salary should never rear its ugly head again in Osun. Government of the day, led by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, has promised to pay the arrears before he leaves office and we believe him. We are waiting and we are expecting.

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What is your advice for the governorship candidates on the coming poll?

We want them to know that this is our state and we have nowhere else to go. They should make peace paramount as far as their ambitions are concerned if they want the state to develop. Whoever wins the election, other contestants should accept him or her because we want our state to move forward. They should play the game by the rule.