Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the seven-day warning strike declared by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Edo State Council, describing it as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and wholly unjustified.”
By Chimezie Godfrey
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the seven-day warning strike declared by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Edo State Council, describing it as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and wholly unjustified.”
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor expressed disappointment that the Union opted for industrial action despite ongoing negotiations with the state government.
He noted that the issues raised by the Union were largely inherited from the previous administration but said his government had shown sincerity and commitment to addressing them in phases.
According to the statement, one of the demands — the renovation of the Doctors’ Quarters — was already receiving attention, among other welfare-related matters.
Governor Okpebholo said it was “shocking” that the Union’s leadership declared a strike at a time the government had scheduled a follow-up meeting on Monday, stressing that such action undermines ongoing dialogue.
He alleged that a few individuals in the Union’s leadership were motivated by “ulterior motives and extra financial demands,” warning that dragging innocent health workers into the strike endangers the lives of vulnerable citizens.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to dialogue and improving the health sector, while urging all patriotic health workers in the state to ignore the strike and continue providing essential services.