The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos state, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, today joined members of the state’s National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to celebrate this year’s Local Government Workers’ Day. Ambode was the Special Guest of Honour at the event which also saw the entire union members throw their weight behind his gubernatorial candidacy.

While congratulating the workers, Ambode described the local government and its workers has the pivotal force that drives the workings of any government. He stated his readiness to work at the local government level when elected as Governor, to ensure that the merits of governance get to the people.

“The local government was where I started my career of service to our great state, and it has made me recognize this tier as the functional unit of government, which must be regarded important by any serious administration that truly intends to govern”, Ambode said.

In his own address, the state NULGE President, Comrade Lasisi Ayinde, said that the union is elated about the emergence of a local government man as a governorship front runner in the state, adding that Ambode’s rise in the cadre of service in the state has consistently made the union proud and that also serves as great encouragement for the union members.

“Mr. Ambode’s dedication to service has seen him rise to the laudable stage, and we are proud of him. It is incontrovertible that, never in the history of Lagos state have we witnessed one of us being unanimously and unequivocally recognized and adopted as the governorship candidate of this state of excellence”. “Ambode is a true source of motivation for the entire local government workforce”, Ayinde added.

Comrade Lasisi further indicated that the local government is Ambode’s first constituency and therefore urged him to make affairs concerning its workers and development of paramount importance, underlining that “any government that develops the local governments has eventually developed the Nation at large”.

However, in a rare and interesting twist, the union moved to officially endorse Ambode as the next executive governor of the state. Speaking through their President, the members noted that the endorsement is based on Ambode’s character and excellent administrative antecedent.

“Going by his outstanding track record coupled with his background, we all agree that Ambode is not only humane, but selfless. He is not only qualified, but competent. Our incoming governor has proven to be a very credible and enterprising person who deserves our encouragement and unflinching support”

“Your Excellency Mr. Governor in-waiting, I have the mandate of our workers in all the 20 local governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas, LAWMA, Pensions Board and Local Government Service Commission of Lagos state, to adopt you as our Candidate”.

“By this pronouncement, we are identifying with your struggle and share your vision and mission. We shall leave no stone unturned in actualizing your mandate by the Special grace of God”, Lasisi declared.

In the same vein, Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Alhaji Moshood Ojikutu, described Ambode as a “virtuous role model” who sufficiently knows the Local government terrain, and therefore expressed confidence in his ability to perform. Additionally, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs, Barr. Ademoorin Kuye pointed out Ambode as a financial engineer and laudable technocrat who has profitably served the state at all levels, which are motivating factors that could have prompted the endorsement.

In the acceptance of their endorsement, Ambode promised to employ his experience to better the lot of the state and even make it greater. “If you succeed in the local government, you can succeed at any level of administration. I was well groomed in the local government system, and I promise to use this experience to take our state to the next level”.

“I will protect this constituency better than any other candidate because I know it very well. I know your pain and aspirations, and beyond leave bonuses and salaries, we will do right things at the right time to make you better individuals with greater capacity and adequately compensate for your service”, Ambode added.

He described the elections as a threshold of history in the nation, and urged the workers to see themselves as major influencers and not ordinary voters, in the move to enthrone good governance across the whole nation, as the general elections beckons.

This NULGE endorsement of Ambode adds more steam to the flame of support and acceptance fanned by the APC gubernatorial candidate.