Gov Okpebholo unsettled over Health Workers 7-day warning strike in Edo
The ongoing seven-day warning strike by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Edo State council has unsettled the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, which it described as unjustifiable.
DAILY POST reports that the State Governor had, in a statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Saturday, October 18, 2025, alerted the public of the medical workers’ union warning strike which commenced at midnight on Friday, October 17, 2025.
In the statement, the governor condemned the strike, describing it as ill-timed, unpatriotic, and wholly unjustified.
He said the strike was coming at a time when meaningful negotiations between the union and the government were ongoing.
Okpebholo allegedly attributed the industrial action to the failure to yield to the unlawful financial demands from officials of the State government by a few “greedy members” of the leadership of the union.
He said the leadership of the union has been in constant engagement with the government on their demands, with a meeting already scheduled to continue discussions on Monday, October 20, 2025.
He noted that the issues raised by the union were largely inherited from the past administration of Godwin Obaseki.
The governor, who said he found no merit in the call for the warning strike, however, alleged that the action appears driven by ulterior motives and extra financial demands known only to a few individuals in the Union’s leadership, to the detriment of the general membership.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been drawn to a statement issued by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, MHWUN, Edo State Council, announcing the commencement of a seven-day warning strike across the state beginning Friday, October 17, 2025.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised by the union were largely inherited from the past administration of Godwin Obaseki.
“However, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has shown genuine commitment to addressing these inherited concerns in a phased, transparent, and responsible manner.
“Among the demands of the Union is the renovation of the Doctors’ Quarters, which is already receiving the attention of the State Government, alongside other welfare-related matters.
“It is therefore shocking and disappointing that the leadership of the union would hastily declare a strike, claiming Government insensitivity, when, in fact, the present administration has demonstrated open-mindedness, good faith, and a proactive resolve to improve the health sector.
“This abrupt decision by the union leadership not only undermines ongoing dialogue but also exposes a lack of sincerity and respect for the negotiation process.
By dragging innocent and hardworking health workers into this industrial action, the union’s leadership is placing the lives of poor and helpless Edo citizens, especially those in need of urgent medical attention, at grave risk.
“Such actions amount to a betrayal of the noble principles and ethics of the medical profession, particularly the Hippocratic Oath, which places the preservation of human life above all else.
“No responsible government can fold its arms while a few individuals hold the lives of its citizens hostage for personal gratification, ” he said.
He assured that the state government remains committed to dialogue and partnership with all stakeholders in the health sector to ensure industrial harmony and better service delivery to the people.
Okpebholo, however, threatened that his administration would not condone any act that jeopardises the health and well-being of Edo citizens under any guise.
He urged all responsible and patriotic health workers in the State to disregard the strike directive and continue rendering essential services to the people.
The Governor, who opined that his administration remains open to constructive engagement, added that the government is resolute in its determination to build a fair, functional, and people-oriented health system for all Edo citizens.
DAILY POST reports that the state leadership of MHWUN, in announcing the seven-day warning strike, accused the state government of its continued unwillingness and insensitivity to address the legitimate demands of the workers in the State despite several correspondence engagements.
The statement signed by Comrade Ogbeide Omon Osagie, chairman and Comrade Barivure Kpakol, secretary, said the warning strike was due to the expiration of the 14-day notice earlier issued to the state government.
Ogbeide stated that the decision follows the resolution of the State Executive Council at its emergency meeting held on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Union’s state Secretariat in Benin City.
According to him, the warning strike shall take effect from midnight of Friday, 17 October 2025, and all members are by this notice directed to withdraw their services with immediate effect in all State and Local Government Areas health facilities until the State Government demonstrates a genuine commitment and takes concrete actions towards addressing the Union’s outstanding demands for its members.
“All branch chairmen and secretaries are therefore directed to ensure full compliance with this directive and to mobilise all members within their respective branches for total participation in the strike action”, he directed.
The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria is the first trade union in the state to embark on strike since Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration was inaugurated 11 months ago.