Ondo Governor Criticized for Late Work-Free Day Announcement Before Local Polls

Workers and residents of Ondo State expressed frustration over Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s late announcement of a work-free day, declared just hours before the state’s local government election on Saturday.

The announcement was made around 7:00 p.m. on Thursday by Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor's chief press secretary. It stated that Friday would be a public holiday to enable citizens to travel to their hometowns and participate in the polls.

For some, the timing of the announcement caused disruptions. Mrs. Bakri, a public servant, shared her concerns about the lack of earlier communication. “My colleagues and I waited in the office until 4 p.m., expecting a circular about a public holiday. None arrived by the time we left, only to learn of it later in the evening,” she said.

She added that the delay forced her to adjust plans, extending her workload into the following week. “The last-minute notice isn’t efficient. We assumed there would be work on Friday and planned accordingly. It’s disappointing to have such poor coordination,” she remarked.

Parents also felt the impact of the late notice. Seyi Adu, a mother, recounted her experience of driving her child to school on Friday morning, only to find the gates closed. “I wasn’t aware Friday was declared a holiday, or that Saturday was even an election day. The notice came too late to make proper arrangements,” she said.

While the governor’s intention was to enable greater participation in the council election, many residents called for better communication to avoid disruptions in the future. They emphasized the need for timely announcements to allow for smoother adjustments to work and personal schedules.