Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared Friday as a work-free day to give public service workers in Osun the chance to prepare for and participate in Saturday’s governorship election.

The work-free declaration was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, on Wednesday.

According to the notice, the work-free day was to provide ample opportunity for public workers who may need to travel, where required, to exercise their voting rights.

The statement said the work-free day would affect all categories of workers in the state except those on emergency and essential duties.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared Friday 14th of August as work-free, to allow public service workers to participate in the Saturday governorship election.

“In a circular issued by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, the decision is to enable workers to embark on travelling where required and to prepare to exercise their voting rights on Saturday,” the Osun government stated.

Meanwhile, Mr Adeleke, in a pre-election message to workers, called for active participation in the August 15 poll, while urging members of the working class to defend the gains of his administration.

“The time for action has come. As formal workers at state establishments, I task you to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional bodies. We must remain strong in defence of our constitutional rights to vote and be voted for.

“We must defend the gains of the last three and a half years plus. Ours is a workers-friendly government which has delivered across the board to labour and Osun people. We cannot and must not allow a return to dark days,” the governor said.