Date: 2015-02-07

Labour vows to influence Governorship election in Kwara From Ola Yekeen, Ilorin
The Labour movement in Kwara State has vowed to use its influence in deciding the outcome of theFebruary 28 governorship election.
Also, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Comrade Nasiru Olumo boasted of more than one million voters among its fold.
The labour leader leaders said this in Ilorin at an interactive forum organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the TUC for all gubernatorial candidates.
They warned politicians not to take workers for granted because they were determined to make their votes count in the general elections.
 No fewer than 10 governorship aspirants attended the forum where they answered questions on the challenges in the education, health, housing and water sectors.
 The candidates also took turn to talk on issues bordering on workers’ welfare, local government administration and management of resources.
 Sen. Simeon Ajibola, the governorship candidate of the PDP and Dr. Mike Omotoso of the Labour Party were the prominent candidates at the forum.
 
 Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and governor of Kwara, Alhaji AbdulFatah Ahmed was absent.
Sen. Ajibola decried the quality and quantity of teachers in the state even as other candidates said the government had failed to improve the learning environment for primary and secondary school education.
 The PDP candidate also promised to make tuition free in all primary schools, equip all schools with computers and laboratory equipment.
He said teachers will be properly motivated ad exposed to modern teaching methods.
 
 Sen. Ajibola said his administration will emphasize preventive health care, especially at the primary level, provide adequate drugs and make health care services free for women and children.
He also promised to provide free ante natal and post natal medical care for pregnant women in the state.
The PDP candidate said he would involve local government councils in the distribution of portable water to various homes and in waste disposal to cope with growing population in major towns.
 
 “I believe strongly and I am committed to the autonomy of local governments. If I become the governor, I will play my oversight role.
 
 “I promise that the people will decide their priorities in every local government area,” Senator Ajibola said.
 Mrs. Felicia Oyenike of the Action Alliance (AA) and Deaconess Comfort Kayode of the United Peoples Party (UPP) were among the governorship candidates who attended the forum.
Three election observers from the European Union were also present.