The All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has promised to ensure prompt payment of salaries, allowances and other workers’ entitlements if elected governor in the 2027 election.
Alli made the commitment in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Media and Publicity of his campaign organisation, Bisi Oladele, in Ibadan.
His comments followed ongoing industrial actions involving medical and dental officers employed by the Oyo State Government and academic staff at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso.
While the doctors began their strike on Monday, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities at LAUTECH commenced an indefinite industrial action on Thursday.
The strikes have disrupted activities in public hospitals and left patients struggling to access essential medical services across the state.
Reacting to the situation, Alli criticised Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of failing to address the grievances of the striking workers while continuing his political activities and presidential ambitions.
He described the situation as concerning, particularly given existing complaints about inadequate medical personnel, insufficient equipment and deteriorating facilities in government-owned hospitals.
According to the campaign organisation, Alli questioned why disputes involving unpaid allowances and the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement had been allowed to escalate into industrial action.
The organisation maintained that the demands of the Association of Medical and Dental Officers were legitimate, particularly those concerning outstanding allowances and the restoration of salaries for medical personnel transferred from field assignments to the Ministry of Health.
It warned that the withdrawal of services by an already overstretched medical workforce could further undermine healthcare delivery in public hospitals.
The campaign organisation also expressed concern about the effect of the strike on vulnerable residents who depend on government-owned health facilities, including pregnant women, children, pensioners and low-income families.
It warned that prolonged industrial action could affect access to emergency treatment and the continued care of patients.
Alli’s campaign organisation further accused Makinde of prioritising political engagements in the South-East over resolving the disputes affecting healthcare and education in the state.
It argued that the governor should focus on addressing the ongoing challenges in the public health and education sectors.
The organisation, however, appealed to the striking doctors and lecturers to remain open to meaningful discussions while recognising their right to pursue legitimate workplace demands through lawful means.
It also urged the state government to establish immediate emergency arrangements to ensure that residents requiring urgent and life-saving medical attention were not left without care during the strike.
The campaign organisation said an Alli-led administration would prioritise workers’ welfare, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, engagement with healthcare professionals and improved provision of medical equipment and facilities in public hospitals.
Source: The Punch
