All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, has promised prompt payment of salaries, allowances and other entitlements to workers if elected governor in the 2027 governorship election.
Alli made the pledge as medical and dental officers in the Oyo State public service and lecturers at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, embarked on separate industrial actions over outstanding entitlements and other demands.
While the strike by medical and dental officers began on Monday, the LAUTECH branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) commenced 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, Senator Sharafadeen Alli Campaign Organisation (SSACO), Alli criticised Governor Seyi Makinde for allegedly failing to give adequate attention to the disputes while participating in political activities outside the state.
He described the situation as troubling, particularly amid longstanding concerns over shortages of medical personnel, inadequate equipment and deteriorating facilities in government-owned hospitals.
Demands by members of the Association of Medical and Dental Officers (AMDO) include payment of outstanding allowances and restoration of the salaries of medical personnel transferred from field assignments to the Ministry of Health.
Equally, LAUTECH lecturers were demanding implementation of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement, payment of outstanding entitlements, including promotion arrears, and provision of necessary facilities for academic activities.
Alli questioned how a government that consistently presents workers’ welfare as a priority could allow disputes over allowances and implementation of agreements to escalate into strikes affecting critical public services.
He expressed particular concern over the impact of the doctors’ strike on residents who depend on government hospitals for healthcare.
“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 statement quoted Alli as saying.
He warned that prolonged disruption of medical services could disproportionately affect vulnerable residents, including pregnant women, children, pensioners and low-income families who rely on public hospitals.
“Every additional day of this strike raises serious concerns about access to emergency treatment, continuity of care and the welfare of vulnerable patients,” he said.
The APC candidate also accused Makinde of being more focused on his reported presidential ambition than on resolving the labour disputes affecting healthcare and education in the state.
“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,” Alli said.
He described the situation as “the height of misplaced priorities,” arguing that the governor should remain focused on the responsibilities of his current office.
“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,” he added.
The campaign organisation, however, appealed to the striking doctors and lecturers to remain open to meaningful dialogue while acknowledging their right to pursue legitimate employment demands through lawful means.
It also urged the state government to establish immediate contingency arrangements for patients requiring emergency and life-saving treatment during the doctors’ strike.
Alli further pledged that his administration, if elected, would prioritise prompt payment of salaries and allowances, engagement with healthcare professionals, improved working conditions and the provision of 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 statement said.
The simultaneous industrial actions at Oyo State public hospitals and LAUTECH have heightened concerns over the impact of unresolved labour disputes on healthcare delivery and university education in the state.
