Ekiti: JNC Blasts Isaac Fayose Over Undue Interference In Internal Affairs 

By Joseph Sunday 

The Joint Negotiation Council, JNC, in Ekiti State, has blasted Mr Isaac Fayose for unduly interfering in its internal affairs in its rejoinder to a ‘mischievous statement’ credited to Isaac Fayose on its appreciation letter to Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji. 

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Oluwafemi Ajokolo, JNC Chairman and Comrade Kehinde Otitoju, JNC Secretary. 

The statement emphasised that the letter to Governor Oyebanji was purely an official and private communication by the organised labour intended to congratulate the governor on his birthday and to show appreciation for his uncommon commitment to workers’ welfare. 

They cautioned Fayose to desist from sowing seeds of discord between Ekiti workers and the state governor noting that the letter was not intended for political propaganda, media debate of public grandstanding.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Public Service Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), 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, Governor 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 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 bias. 

“We reiterate unequivocally that Ekiti workers remain deeply grateful to His Excellency, Governor 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.”