…Promises prompt payment of workers’ entitlements

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over the industrial actions by medical and dental officers in the state and lecturers at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.

Alli also promised prompt payment of salaries, allowances and other entitlements to workers in the state if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.

The doctors’ strike began on Monday, while members of the LAUTECH branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced an indefinite strike on Thursday.

The industrial actions have disrupted healthcare services in public hospitals and academic activities at the university.

In a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bisi Oladele, the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO) said the APC candidate described the strikes as troubling, especially in view of complaints about inadequate medical personnel, poor equipment and deteriorating facilities in government-owned hospitals.

Alli accused Makinde of insensitivity to the plight of residents, patients, workers and students, alleging that the governor was preoccupied with his presidential ambition rather than resolving the disputes.

He questioned how a government that regularly described workers’ welfare as a priority could allow disagreements over outstanding allowances and the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement to result in strikes.

The campaign organisation said the demands of the Association of Medical and Dental Officers (AMDO) included payment of outstanding allowances and restoration of the salaries of medical personnel transferred from field assignments to the Ministry of Health.

It also listed the demands of LAUTECH ASUU to include implementation of the 2025 agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU, payment of outstanding entitlements, including promotion arrears, and provision of necessary facilities.

SSACO warned that the withdrawal of services by medical personnel could worsen the challenges facing public hospitals, with vulnerable residents bearing the greatest burden.

It added that pregnant women, children, pensioners and low-income families who depend on public healthcare facilities would be particularly affected by the disruption.

The organisation also faulted Makinde for prioritising political engagements outside the state over the crisis in the health and education sectors.

It, however, appealed to the striking doctors and lecturers to remain open to meaningful dialogue while acknowledging their right to pursue legitimate employment demands through lawful means.

The campaign organisation also called on the state government to put immediate contingency arrangements in place to protect patients requiring emergency and life-saving medical attention during the strike.