The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Sharafadeen Alli, has pledged to prioritise workers’ welfare and ensure prompt payment of salaries and allowances if elected governor in 2027.
Alli made the promise amid industrial disputes involving medical professionals and university lecturers, accusing Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of failing to address workers’ grievances before they escalated into strikes.
His position was conveyed in a statement issued on Thursday in Ibadan by the Director of Media and Publicity of the Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation, Bisi Oladele.
The campaign organisation expressed concern over the disruption of healthcare and educational services following industrial actions by medical and dental officers and lecturers at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso.
Medical workers reportedly commenced their strike on Monday, while members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at LAUTECH began an indefinite strike on Thursday.
According to the organisation, the industrial actions have affected residents who depend on public hospitals and students whose academic activities have been disrupted.
It described the demands of the striking medical personnel as legitimate, citing outstanding allowances and the restoration of salaries for workers transferred from field assignments to the Ministry of Health.
The campaign also linked the university dispute to disagreements surrounding the implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement.
It criticised the state government for allegedly allowing the grievances to remain unresolved until workers withdrew their services.
“Every additional day of this strike raises serious concerns about access to emergency treatment, continuity of care and the welfare of vulnerable patients,” the statement said.
The organisation warned that prolonged disruption of medical services could further burden vulnerable residents, particularly those unable to afford private healthcare.
It also accused Makinde of devoting attention to his alleged presidential ambition instead of addressing pressing challenges within the state.
“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,” the statement read.
The campaign maintained that the governor’s political aspirations should not take precedence over his responsibilities to workers and residents.
Despite its criticism, the organisation appealed to the striking workers to remain willing to negotiate with the government.
It also urged the state authorities to introduce emergency measures to ensure that patients requiring urgent treatment were not left without medical assistance.
Alli promised that his administration would maintain constructive engagement with workers and address their welfare concerns promptly.
He further pledged to improve public healthcare through the provision of modern medical equipment and facilities.
The campaign organisation maintained that regular payment of workers’ entitlements and improved working conditions would form part of its priorities if the APC candidate emerged victorious in the governorship election.
Ezeana Emmanuel
