The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has assured all categories of workers in the state of prompt payment of salaries, allowances and other entitlements if elected in the 2027 election.
His assurance came on the heels of industrial actions embarked upon by medical and dental officers in the state and lecturers at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso. While the doctors’ strike commenced on Monday, members of the LAUTECH branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) began an indefinite strike on Thursday. The actions have left patients in public hospitals helpless and essential healthcare services unavailable.
Condemning Governor Seyi Makinde for allegedly ignoring the strikes and continuing with his presidential campaign, Alli accused him of insensitivity to the plight of the masses and thousands of LAUTECH students.
In a statement by Bisi Oladele, Director of Media and Publicity, Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), Alli described the industrial actions as deeply troubling, particularly against the backdrop of persistent complaints about inadequate personnel, poor equipment and deteriorating facilities in government-owned hospitals.
Assuring prompt payment of workers’ salaries and entitlements when elected, Alli questioned how a government that repeatedly proclaims workers’ welfare as its priority could allow disputes involving payment of allowances and implementation of the 2025 FG-ASUU agreement to degenerate into strikes hampering critical healthcare and education delivery.
SSACO noted that the demands by the Association of Medical and Dental Officers (AMDO) are not unreasonable, as they concern payment of outstanding allowances and restoration of salaries of medical personnel transferred from field assignments to the Ministry of Health. The same applies to demands for implementation of the FG-ASUU agreement, payment of outstanding entitlements including promotion arrears, and provision of facilities by LAUTECH ASUU members.
The organisation said Alli is particularly concerned that the action involves the already overstretched medical workforce, warning that withdrawal of services will further worsen healthcare delivery in public hospitals.
“At a time when Oyo State government hospitals are struggling with shortages of medical personnel, inadequate equipment and other operational challenges, the state can ill-afford the prolonged withdrawal of services by its doctors and dental officers.
“The consequences are borne not by government officials who can afford private medical care, but by ordinary citizens, particularly pregnant women, children, pensioners and low-income families who depend on public healthcare facilities. Every additional day of this strike raises serious concerns about access to emergency treatment, continuity of care and the welfare of vulnerable patients.
“Worse still, Governor Makinde has chosen the comfort of a political jamboree in the South-East over the urgent responsibility of safeguarding the health and lives of his people and education of future leaders. Rather than remain at his duty post to resolve a crisis that has further crippled an already struggling public healthcare and education system, the governor is busy chasing the mirage of an illusory presidential ambition.
“It is the height of misplaced priorities for a governor who endlessly trumpets his commitment to workers’ welfare. For Makinde, the allure of presidential power appears to have eclipsed the solemn obligations of his present office. Oyo State deserves a governor focused on governance, not one distracted by the intoxicating but increasingly unrealistic dream of occupying Aso Rock,” the statement said.
The campaign organisation appealed to the striking medical personnel and lecturers to remain open to meaningful dialogue while recognising their right to pursue legitimate demands through lawful means.
It further called for immediate contingency arrangements to protect patients requiring emergency and life-saving attention for the duration of the action, stressing that the health and lives of residents must remain paramount.
“Unlike Governor Makinde, Senator Alli will place the welfare of healthcare professionals, education and the wellbeing of the people at the heart of his administration. His government will prioritise prompt payment of salaries and allowances, constructive engagement with medical personnel and the provision of modern equipment and essential facilities in public hospitals,” the statement concluded.
