MAY DAY: NLC, TUC ADOPT GOV. AYADE FOR 2019

The organised labour in Cross River State yesterday resoundingly endorsed the state Governor, Professor Ben Ayade for a second term in office.

The workers endorsement was made known by the State Chairman of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade John Ushie during his address to mark the 2018 May Day celebration at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

This came on the heels of the payment of May 2018 salaries to workers on the eve of this year's workers' day celebration by the state government.

Since the inception of the current administration workers have always received their salaries in advance.

Ushie told the gathering that the decision of the organised labour to endorse the governor has to do with his very impressive performance in office since assuming the reins of leadership in the state.

In his words: "In view of what you have done so far in Cross River State since your assumption of office on May 29, 2015 in the area of socio-economic, political and manpower development as attested by many, and in view of your workers friendly posture, we the workers of Cross River State have viewed critically the options open to us and our future, and have agreed on this day to massively support  your second term in office.

 "Indeed , as a new minimum wage is being proposed, we know that only you can and have the capacity to pay us our salaries without fail. We therefore urge you to bid for a second term in office come 2019 general election." 

On his part, the Trade Union Congress(TUC) Chairman, Comrade Clerks Otu lauded the governor for providing employment opportunities to Cross Riverians through the construction of the Garment Factory, the Calabar pharmaceutical factory, Cocoa processing plant in Ikom, the ultramodern rice mill in Ogoja as well as the Rice seedlings center and several other industries. 

In his response, an emtional Ayade described his adoption for the 2019 elections by the organised labour as humbling, and promised to continue to give priority to the welfare of the citizenry over every other consideration.

"I want to thank you all as workers of Cross River State for finding it necessary to honour me in a day of this nature.

This honour is a commitment, it is a challenge and responsibility on my part to do even more," said Ayade.

Continuing the governor maintained: "therefore, your choice of my adoption come 2019 is a clear testimonial that that my philosophy, my focus on the stomach, that I must put food on the table,  has worked.

"The only thing I owe society and God is to ensure that these people who have been standing under the sun, who have made the choice of reaffirming their commitment to me in 2019, that at the fullest of time, you will be happy you did," he added.