Adebayo Adenrele
The gubernatorial candidate of Accord Party for the Ekiti governorship election, Opeyemi Falegan, popularly known as ODF, has condemned the Governor of the state, Biodun Oyebanji over his failure to prioritise the welfare, benefits and outstanding entitlements of pensioners in the state.
Falegan alleged that the current political dispensation in the state had not been adequately attended to the welfare of pensioners in the state in recent years, adding that the retirees have been denied consequential adjustments and other benefits.
He claimed that many retirees had not received their entitlements since 2016 and described the situation as evidence of failure on the part of the government.
The Gubernatorial Candidate raised this concern in Ado-Ekiti during a visit to the leaders and members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), the state chapter.
He also distanced himself from rumours making the round that he works for Oyebanji, describing the claim as baseless and uncalled for.
The Accord Candidate said he remained committed to contesting the governorship election, insisting that he would not betray the trust of Ekiti residents if given the opportunity to lead the state.
He further pledged to prioritise the welfare of pensioners in the state if elected in the forthcoming governorship election, adding that the purpose of the visit was to celebrate pensioners for their years of service and their transition from active work to retirement, noting that retirees should be appreciated while they are alive rather than being remembered only after their deaths.
His words, “This visit to Pensioners in Ekiti State is very imperative. We all know they have been deprived of what is actually meant for them in the area of consequential adjustments, benefits and welfare in general. I am doing everything possible to make sure they are okay.
“I want to celebrate them from the level of transitioning from being workers to the level of retirement. I want to celebrate them now that they are alive, not when they are dead. I love them from the bottom of my heart to the depth of my soul and everything possible to make them alright, I will do it.
“All their demands will be evaluated and properly looked into. What they have asked for so far are normal things. In a proper environment that works, these shouldn’t even be demands; they should have been done a long time ago.
“For those saying I’m working for BAO, that is impossible. I will never betray my people. Nothing could be heavier than that. The present government has actually failed; they do not care about the needs of the people.
“Look at what has happened in the area of pensioners. They have not been paid since 2016. Since the governor got to the office, nothing has been done for the pensioners. To me, the governor is a failure; he has not done anything for the people of Ekiti.
“I can never work with someone like that. I am running as the governor of the state in June 2026 and I will never betray the people. If you give me this opportunity, I will never betray you”.
Earlier in his remarks, Ekiti NUP Chairman, Adetola Popoola commended Falegan, noting that his visit marked the first time a political party seeking to contest the 2026 governorship election had formally engaged with the union.
Recall that the Union had lamented over the irregular payment of members’ gratuities, check-off due and other benefits, where he had appealed to Oyebanji to prevail on his people to stop using his influence and government power to promote illegalities but nothing has been done.
Popoola thereby called on Falegan to prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens if elected as Governor, adding that the union represents retirees who had served the state diligently and therefore remain critical stakeholders in Ekiti’s political and socio-economic development.
