Alli Vows Prompt Payment of Workers’ Entitlements as Oyo Doctors, LAUTECH ASUU Strike
••• Knocks Makinde over alleged insensitivity, says governor prioritising presidential ambition
Alli made the pledge against the backdrop of ongoing industrial actions by medical and dental officers in the state and members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
While the doctors commenced their strike on Monday, the LAUTECH ASUU chapter began an indefinite strike on Thursday, disrupting healthcare and academic activities across the state.
In a statement issued by Bisi Oladele, Director of Media and Publicity of the Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), Alli criticised Governor Seyi Makinde over what he described as the administration’s failure to resolve the disputes with the striking workers.
The APC candidate also accused the governor of being insensitive to the plight of residents while allegedly concentrating on his presidential ambition and political activities outside the state.
According to the statement, Alli expressed particular concern over the doctors’ strike, given what he described as existing shortages of medical personnel, inadequate equipment and deteriorating facilities in some government-owned hospitals.
He said the demands of the Association of Medical and Dental Officers (AMDO), including payment of outstanding allowances and restoration of salaries for medical personnel transferred from field assignments to the Ministry of Health, deserved urgent attention.
Similarly, the campaign organisation said the demands of LAUTECH ASUU, including implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, payment of outstanding entitlements and promotion arrears, as well as provision of adequate facilities, should not have been allowed to escalate into an indefinite strike.
Alli warned that the continued withdrawal of medical services could further strain an already overstretched public healthcare system, with the consequences likely to be felt most by residents who depend on government hospitals.
The statement said, “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.”
Alli also criticised Governor Makinde for allegedly prioritising political activities over resolving the strikes, accusing him of choosing “the comfort of a political jamboree in the South East” while the state’s healthcare and education sectors face disruption.
“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,” the statement said.
The campaign organisation, however, appealed to the striking doctors and lecturers to remain open to dialogue while acknowledging their right to pursue legitimate demands through lawful means.
It also urged the state government to establish immediate contingency measures to ensure that patients requiring emergency and life-saving treatment are not left stranded during the strike.
Alli pledged that, if elected, his administration would prioritise workers’ welfare through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, regular engagement with labour unions and improved working conditions.
He also promised greater investment in healthcare and education, including modern equipment and essential facilities in public hospitals.
“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,” the campaign organisation said.