Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, a work-free day for public servants in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The declaration was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, as part of measures to enable public workers to prepare for the election and participate in the exercise.
According to the circular, the decision was taken to allow workers who need to travel to do so and make adequate arrangements to exercise their franchise during the governorship poll.
The Head of Service stated that the declaration covers all categories of public servants in the state, except workers engaged in emergency and essential services.
Adeleke urges workers to vote massively
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has urged public servants, their relatives and friends to participate actively in the election and ensure that their votes are protected.
The governor made the appeal in a pre-election message to workers, where he commended the leadership of the labour movement and the state’s workforce for their support for his administration.
Adeleke described the relationship between his administration and workers as mutually beneficial, while urging them to remain committed to the democratic process.
Governor tasks workers on mobilisation
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke urged state workers to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional groups to participate in Saturday’s election.
He called on the workers to defend their constitutional rights and ensure that they participate peacefully in the electoral process.
“The time for action has come. As formal workers at state establishments, I task you to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional bodies. We must remain strong in defence of our constitutional rights to vote and be voted for,” he said.
Adeleke highlights administration’s achievements
The governor also urged workers to protect what he described as the gains recorded by his administration during the past three and a half years.
He said his government had maintained a workers-friendly approach and delivered various programmes and policies aimed at improving the welfare of labour and residents of Osun State.
“Ours is a workers-friendly government which has delivered across board to labour and Osun people. We cannot and must not allow a return to dark days,” Adeleke added.
The work-free day is expected to give public servants an opportunity to travel to their places of registration where necessary and participate in the August 15 governorship election.