Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared Friday, August 14, 2026, a work-free day for public servants across the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The declaration was contained in a circular issued by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina and shared by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Wednesday.

According to the circular, the decision was taken to allow workers who need to travel to their places of registration to do so and prepare to exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The government, however, stated that workers engaged in emergency and essential services are exempted from the declaration.

Meanwhile, Adeleke has urged workers, their relatives and friends to come out in large numbers to participate in the election and protect their votes.

In a pre-election message to workers, the governor commended the organised labour and civil servants for their support for his administration, describing the relationship between his government and workers as mutually beneficial.

Adeleke urged workers to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional groups to participate in the electoral process.

“The time for action has come. As formal workers at state establishments, I task you to mobilise informal workers, artisans and professional bodies,” he said.

The governor also urged residents to stand firm in defending their constitutional rights to vote and be voted for.

He appealed to the electorate to protect what he described as the achievements recorded by his administration over the past three and a half years.

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