By Ojotule Romanus
Local Government workers across the 21 Local Government Areas of Kogi State, have thrown their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, ahead of the 2037 general elections.
The workers who troop out in thousands made their position known during a solidarity rally held at the Muhammed Buhari Civic Center in Lokoja recently.
Speaking during the event, the state Chairman of the Forum of Directors of Local Government( DLGs), Aliu Omuya, desclosed that the descion for endorsement was influenced by what he described as improvement in the welfare and working conditions of local government workers under the present administrative of the APC led government.
Omuya stated that Local Government workers have decided to reciprocate the gesture of Governor Ododo led administration by declaring their unalloyed support for President Tinubu and Governor Ododo’s reelection.
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He pointed out that the rally was not organized to present gifts to the Governor but to publicly demonstrate workers appreciation and political support for the administration.
Omuya also commended the State Accountant General, Hajia Habibat Tijani, for her efforts in addressing issues affecting Local Government workers and supporting the State Government efforts ; just as he promised that the workers were prepared to extend the mobilisation to the grassroots across the 21 Local Government Areas.
In his address, the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees( NULGE), Muhammad Yahaya, said the gathering is a true reflection of workers appreciation of Governor Ododo’s administration.
While pledging continued support of the Local Government workers, he listed prompt payment of salaries and pension, regular release of local government allocation and annual increament and as well as logistics and welfare support among the areas workers had witnessed improvement.
In her remarks, the State Accountant-General, Hajia Habibat Tijani, described the rally as a demonstration of grassroots support for Tinubu and Ododo.
She highlighted the strategic role of local government workers in grassroots mobilisation, noting that their close relationship with communities across the state placed them in a position to communicate government policies and programmes to residents.
Tijani assured the governor that the workers at the rally were genuine supporters who had voluntarily identified with the administration.
Responding, Governor Ododo thanked the workers for organising the rally and for using the occasion to express their appreciation to President Tinubu.
The Governor said the event underscored the importance of grassroots politics, noting that local government workers were strategically positioned to communicate the achievements of government to people at the community level.
Ododo described the workers as “organic and natural canvassers” for President Tinubu in Kogi State, saying their support was based on what they had experienced under the current administration.
He also commended President Tinubu for approving major projects for Kogi State, including the establishment of an international and cargo airport and the development of international markets.
The Governor urged the workers to sustain their mobilisation across the 21 local government areas and assured them that his administration would continue to prioritise their welfare.
Ododo expressed confidence that the people of Kogi State would continue to support President Tinubu based on what he described as the achievements of the Federal Government and the benefits of its programmes and projects in the state.
The rally ended with renewed pledges of support for Tinubu and Ododo, with the local government workers promising to take their mobilisation to communities across Kogi State.
