-
Edo Health Workers Defy Government, Continue Strike Action
-
Governor Okpebholo calls the action ill-timed and politically driven.
-
Union insists strike will continue until welfare demands are addressed.
The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, has vowed to continue its ongoing warning strike, despite the state government describing the action as ill-conceived and unnecessary.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration Layoffs During Shutdown
- What Another Drop in Monthly Inflation Rate Signals for Nigerians
- ‘PDP Defections to APC Prove I Was Right About Tinubu’ – Wike
EKO HOT BLOG reports that in a message to members on Sunday, the union’s Public Relations Officer, Iduwe Endurance, urged full compliance, warning that any member who failed to join the strike would face disciplinary action.
“Total compliance is required, and anything short of that will not be tolerated,” the message read.
The strike, which began at midnight on Friday, followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Edo State Government to address long-standing welfare and infrastructure demands. In a joint statement signed by State Chairman Osagie Ogbeide and Secretary Barivure Kpakol, the union directed members to withdraw their services across all state and local government health facilities for seven days.
However, Governor Monday Okpebholo has condemned the industrial action, describing it as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and unjustified.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Saturday, the governor accused some union leaders of pursuing personal interests, insisting that his administration had shown commitment to resolving the issues inherited from the previous government of Godwin Obaseki.
“Among the demands of the union is the renovation of doctors’ quarters, which is already receiving attention. It is shocking that the union declared a strike while negotiations were ongoing,” the statement read.
The government also alleged that the strike was influenced by “ulterior motives and financial demands” from a few union officials, describing the move as a betrayal of the workers’ duty to protect lives.
Meanwhile, some health workers told PUNCH Online on Sunday that they remained loyal to their union’s decision and would not resume work until directed by their leaders.
“We are with our leaders in this, and we can only hope that negotiations will be concluded before the end of the warning strike,” one worker said.
FURTHER READING
- Kano Court Remands Orphanage Owner Over Abduction of 600 Children
- Information Minister Hails Borno as Nigeria’s Most Resilient State
- Businessman Sends SOS to Police Over Abduction of 16-Year-Old Son in Iba
