The Edo State Government has condemned the seven-day warning strike declared by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Edo State Council, describing it as “ill-timed, unpatriotic, and wholly unjustified.”

In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, the government expressed shock that the union embarked on industrial action despite ongoing negotiations and a follow-up meeting already scheduled for Monday, October 20.

According to the statement, most of the issues raised by the union were inherited from the previous administration, but the present government under Governor Monday Okpebholo has shown commitment to resolving them in phases. The government noted that one of the union’s key demands—the renovation of the Doctors’ House—is already receiving attention, alongside other welfare concerns.

“The decision of the union to declare a strike at this stage is disappointing and undermines the spirit of dialogue,” the statement said. “This action exposes a lack of sincerity on the part of the union’s leadership and raises questions about their true motives.”

The government further accused a few leaders of the union of pursuing “ulterior motives and extra demands” that do not reflect the collective interest of members. It warned that the strike could endanger the lives of vulnerable citizens who depend on public health services, describing the move as a betrayal of the ethics of the medical profession and the Hippocratic Oath.

“No responsible government will sit idly by while a handful of individuals hold the lives of citizens hostage for personal gain,” the statement read.

While reaffirming its commitment to dialogue and improved welfare for health workers, the Edo State Government urged all “responsible and patriotic” members of the health workforce to disregard the strike directive and continue providing essential services.

Governor Okpebholo’s administration, the statement added, remains resolute in building a fair, functional, and people-oriented health system for all Edo citizens.