Olufunke Aladejare
The Public Service Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), Ekiti State Chapter, has dismissed comments attributed to Isaac Fayose on an appreciation letter written by organised labour to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, describing the remarks as mischievous and misleading.
In a rejoinder issued and jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Council, Comrades Oluwafemi Ajoloko and Kehinde Otitoju cleared that the letter was a private and official correspondence and never intended for public debate or political propaganda.
According to the council, the communication was written to congratulate the governor on his birthday and to present legitimate requests in line with labour’s statutory role of continuous engagement with government for improved workers’ welfare.
The council stressed that Ekiti workers have no reason to be ungrateful to the governor, whom it described as a performing and responsive employer.
It noted that organised labour in the state has consistently expressed support for Governor Oyebanji, including backing his second-term bid, based strictly on his performance, sincerity and the cordial relationship between government and labour.
The JNC recalled that the governor approved and paid outstanding leave bonus arrears to workers barely two weeks ago, while promotion interviews across the public service have also been successfully concluded; actions that contradict claims suggesting neglect of workers’ welfare.
The labour body criticised Fayose’s intervention as an attempt to seek relevance, insisting that he does not speak for Ekiti workers.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Public Service Joint Negotiation Council (INC), Ekiti State, has been drawn to a mischievous statement credited to one Isaac Fayose, who has chosen to comment irresponsibly on an official correspondence that was never intended for public consumption.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the letter in question was a purely official and private communication from organised labour to a performing Governor and employer, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. At no point was the letter meant for political propaganda, media debate, or public grandstanding.
“We state categorically that Ekiti workers have no reason whatsoever to show ingratitude to a Governor who has consistently demonstrated uncommon commitment to workers’ welfare. On several occasions and across different platforms, organised labour in Ekiti State has made its position abundantly clear: we stand firmly with Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji and openly support his second term bid, based strictly on his performance, sincerity, and the mutual respect that exists between government and labour.
“The said letter was written to congratulate Mr Governor on his birthday and, in the spirit of a cordial father-son relationship, to make legitimate requests on behalf of workers. This is not an indication of failure on the part of the Governor, but a reflection of labour’s statutory responsibility to continuously engage for the improvement of workers’ welfare.
“It is instructive to remind the public that barely two weeks ago, the Governor approved and paid outstanding leave bonus arrears owed to Ekiti workers. In addition, promotion interviews have just been successfully concluded across the service. These verifiable facts clearly expose and contradict the false narrative being peddled by a meddlesome interloper.
“We therefore find it both surprising and disingenuous for Isaac Fayose to pretend to speak on behalf of Ekiti workers, when his antecedents and motivations are well known to the people of the state. His comments amount to nothing more than a desperate attempt to seek relevance and attention under the guise of political blas.
“We reiterate unequivocally that Ekiti workers remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for his continuous support and commitment to the welfare of the public service. No attention seeker will be allowed to sow seeds of discord between the government and the leadership of organised labour in Ekiti State”.
