The governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) Party, Comrade Bayo Titilola Sodo on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to retired labour leaders, to seek their blessings and counsel ahead of the upcoming 2027 election.
The high-profile meeting, held at the headquarters of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), American Quarters, Agodi, Ibadan, during the monthly enlarged meeting of the Oyo State Labour Veterans Association.
Sodo, one-time State President, Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Oyo State Branch, one-time State Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Oyo State Chapter, and immediate past Special Adviser On Labour to the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, when he voluntarily resigned before venturing into politics, said during the visit that he could not embark on his campaign without honouring his roots. He noted that the principles of equity, social justice, and workers welfare, which he learned from his retired seniors in the labour circle, would form the bedrock of his administration if elected as the governor of the pace-setter State.
“I am here today not just as a candidate, but as a student returning to his seniors and colleagues, Sodo said. “The struggles we shared on the picket lines secure the rights of workers were not in vain. My governance blueprint is deeply anchored on the welfare of the masses, and I need your wealth of experience to guide me.
Responding on behalf of the veteran labour leaders, President of the Oyo State Labour Veterans Association, Oyo State Chapter, Comrade Elijah Olu Abiala expressed profound pride in Comrade Bayo Titilola Sodo’s political trajectory. He commended Sodo for remembering his constituency, describing the visit as a sign of humility and enduring loyalty to the labour movement.
“We have watched you grow from a fiery Union strategist to a statesman,” Comrade Olu Abiala remarked. “Labour leaders are builders of men and defenders of the defenseless. We are confident that you will not betray the working class You have our blessings, our counsel and prayers”.
The veteran labour leaders raised critical governance issues during the interactive session, including the prompt payment of gratuities, pension, enhanced better living standard of the citizenry, revitalization of local industries and infrastructural development. Sodo promised to establish a standing advisory council of retired labour leaders to ensure their voices remain central to policy formulation.
The meeting concluded with prayers offered for the resounding victory of Comrade Bayo Titilola Sodo at the forthcoming 2027 election.