As the strike by the Nigerian Medical Association enters its second day, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has described it as illegal, ill advised, and blackmail on the leadership of the country.
Governor Oshiomhole, who was also a labour leader, said that the decision by the NMA that all its affiliate bodies join the strike negates all known labour law.
Governor Oshiomhole said this on Thursday when he met with leaders of the state medical practitioners union in the Edo State Government House, Benin.
He further stated that if the state practitioners joined the strike on the basis of solidarity, then their counterparts in private establishments should as well join the strike, adding that it is a calculated attempt to enrich private hospitals at the detriment of patients who may not be able to afford them.
He said that the state may be forced to enforce the ‘no work no pay’ policy if they do not rethink their decision in the light of the irreparable loss the strike would bring.
Governor Oshiomhole also added that whatever the specifics are, it bothers on abuse of vantage power to hold the Federal Government to ransom in the manner that the NMA has done, and by the national law under essential services, the strike is illegal.
The Chairman of the Association of Resident Doctors who led the delegation said that the facts presented by the governor will be discussed in their next general meeting.
