Okpebholo slams health workers’ seven-day strike, describes action as unpatriotic and unjustified

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 unjustified, especially at a time when negotiations with the state government are still ongoing.

The union had announced the commencement of the strike across the state beginning Friday, October 17, 2025, but the governor said the move was both shocking and disappointing since meaningful discussions were already in progress between the union and government representatives, with another meeting scheduled for Monday.

Governor Okpebholo explained that most of the issues raised by the union were inherited from the previous administration of Godwin Obaseki. He emphasized that his government had shown genuine commitment to resolving those inherited matters in a phased, transparent, and responsible manner.

Among the union’s demands is the renovation of the Doctors’ Quarters, which the governor said is already receiving attention, alongside other welfare-related concerns. He stressed that the administration has demonstrated open-mindedness, good faith, and a proactive resolve to improve the health sector, making the strike both unnecessary and unjustified.

According to the governor, the sudden declaration of a strike undermines ongoing dialogue and exposes a lack of sincerity and respect for the negotiation process. He added that the action appears driven by ulterior motives and extra financial demands known only to a few individuals in the union’s leadership, which is unfair to the general membership of the organization.

He further alleged that the government’s refusal to yield to unlawful financial requests from some greedy members of the union leadership prompted the strike. Okpebholo described the move as an ill-conceived attempt to pressure the state, warning that such tactics would not be tolerated.

The governor expressed concern that dragging innocent and hardworking health workers into the strike places the lives of poor and helpless Edo citizens at grave risk, particularly those in urgent need of medical care. He described the action as a betrayal of the ethics and principles of the medical profession, noting that no responsible government can fold its arms while a few individuals hold the lives of its citizens hostage for personal gain.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders in the health sector to ensure industrial harmony and improved service delivery. However, he warned that the government would not condone any act that endangers the health and wellbeing of Edo people under any guise.

Governor Okpebholo, while calling on all responsible and patriotic health workers to disregard the strike directive, reiterated that his administration remains open to constructive engagement and is determined to build a fair, functional, and people-oriented health system for all Edo citizens.