Osun Guber Polls: Adeleke Declares Friday Work-Free, Urges Workers to Vote and Defend Their Ballots

 

OSOGBO — August 13, 2026

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, a work-free day for public service workers across the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The declaration, contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, is intended to give workers who may need to travel sufficient time to prepare for the election and exercise their constitutional right to vote.

According to the circular, the work-free declaration applies to all categories of public servants, except personnel engaged in emergency and other essential duties.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has urged workers, as well as their relatives and friends, to turn out massively for the election and protect their votes.

In a pre-election message to workers, the governor commended labour leaders and workers for what he described as their steadfastness and praised the relationship between his administration and the state workforce.

“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.”

Adeleke further urged workers to protect what he described as the achievements of his administration over the past three and a half years, describing his government as “workers friendly.”

“We cannot and must not allow a return to dark days,” the governor said.

The governor's appeal comes as political parties and candidates intensify their final mobilisation ahead of Saturday's election, with voters expected to decide the next governor of Osun State.

For Oriontimes, the governor's declaration is an administrative measure that provides public workers with time to participate in the electoral process, while his appeal to workers to vote and defend their votes represents a political call coming from a candidate seeking another mandate.

As an independent news platform, Oriontimes newspaper encourages eligible voters to participate peacefully, exercise their franchise according to their conscience and allow the electoral process to determine the outcome.

The election authorities, security agencies, political parties and voters all have a shared responsibility to ensure that the August 15 poll is conducted peacefully, transparently and in accordance with the law.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed
Spokesperson to the State Governor

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