…says alliance’s experience valuable to governance
By Fisayo Akinduro
Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Tuesday commended the Sunshine Grassroot Alliance (SUGA) for offering its structure and experience to support governance in the state, assuring the group of collaboration and inclusion in the affairs of government.
The governor gave the commendation during SUGA courtesy call to his office in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa thanked members of the group for stepping forward to contribute their knowledge, experience and networks to support the administration, noting that many retirees often withdraw from public life after leaving service.
“You are too young to be put behind. And you have decided to come forward to present yourself. With all the experiences you have gained in the course of your service, the relationships you have built, the network you have, you cannot allow it to just put in the bedroom or in the sitting room and watching television and reading newspaper every day,” he said.
He said some retirees limit their activities to waiting for news hours or the next newspaper to read, but stressed that members of the group still possessed enough experience to support the system.
The governor noted that he had known about the alliance before now and was aware of its activities.
He also recalled the period leading to his emergence as governor, particularly during the party primaries, saying he received strong support and prayers from different groups.
According to him, many aspirants contested the primaries but did not give him any chance of victory.
Aiyedatiwa added that when the election eventually took place, the spread and the figures broke records due to the support of the people.
He said the alliance had formally offered its structure to be part of the present dispensation and to render service when called upon.
The governor noted that while other political groups were putting various structures together, SUGA had chosen to align with what he described as transformational leadership.
He said the expressions “inclusion” and “partnership,” used by the group in its address, were significant and reflected deep thought and commitment.
“We will receive you in this government. And I have just demonstrated that by including you in this government. And also we are going to partner with you,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa assured the members that some of them would be considered for appointments in the coming days, especially as new boards and committees were to be constituted following the expiration of the tenure of some existing ones.
He also directed that members of the alliance from their various local governments be included in the expanded stakeholders’ meetings usually held periodically.
The governor, however, said those still serving in government positions must maintain neutrality and should not openly participate in partisan political activities.
“Except those who are still serving. Because if you are still serving, you need to maintain neutrality. You can’t come in openly to join the political class as it were,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa added that the number of participants in the stakeholders’ meetings must not exceed 60, noting that some people would have to be dropped while stable individuals would be included.
He acknowledged that those present were representatives of the alliance, which he said had over 4,000 members, and urged them to continue working together.
The governor concluded by thanking the group for offering its knowledge and experience to support the administration so that it could deliver better results than it had achieved in the past one year.
Earlier, Chairman of the Sunshine Grassroot Alliance, Dr Deji Akinwalere, a former Permanent Secretary, said he led the leadership of the group on a peaceful and purposeful maiden courtesy visit to the governor.
Akinwalere said the alliance comprised members of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners with about 40,000 members, about 14,000 local government employees and over 6,200 members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers.
He described SUGA as a coalition of experienced grassroots actors, including veteran trade unionists, dedicated local government employees, seasoned teachers and respected elders in the Nigerian Union of Pensioners.
“For decades, we have not just lived in Ondo State. We have served at the grassroots level. We have taught in the classrooms. We have worked in the councils. We have fought for workers’ rights. And we have managed the affairs of our local communities,” he said.
Akinwalere added that the group understood the pulse of the common people because its members were part of them.
He said the alliance believed in progressive leadership and strongly supported the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, the group worked for the President’s victory and remained firmly behind his administration’s vision for Nigeria.
He said the visit was also to formally declare the alliance’s support for the Ondo State governor.
The SUGA chairman stated that the group had closely observed Aiyedatiwa’s leadership style and believed he was committed to deepening democracy, building institutions, recalibrating governance, promoting inclusion and accelerating development in the state.
He added that the alliance was offering its structure, manpower and grassroots network to support the governor’s administration and also to work for the success of President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Akinwalere also appealed for inclusion and partnership in governance so that the voices of local government workers, teachers and pensioners could be heard in the government.
He said members of the alliance had resolved not to allow themselves to be captured by what he described as transactional and predatory politicians.
“We have not come to ask for money. We have come to offer our hands, our hearts and our history of grassroots service,” he said.
Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Special Adviser on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo; Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Allen Sowore; and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Political Matters.