The planned strike action by the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) in Edo State has hit a major setback as facts emerging from within the healthcare community indicate that the proposed protest is unjustifiable, ill-motivated, and lacking in merit.
At the centre of this unfolding development stands the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, whose deliberate investment in the welfare of health workers and reform of the state’s health sector has rendered the basis for industrial action untenable.
The government’s open-door engagement, timely interventions, and proactive welfare policies have not only addressed core demands but continue to foster a culture of dialogue and mutual respect between the state and its workforce.
In a sharp divergence from the strike call, the Association of Community Health Practitioners of Nigeria (ACHPN) has publicly announced that its members will not participate in the action, citing confidence in the ongoing negotiations between the government and the various health unions. The association reaffirmed its commitment to its professional duties and to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare delivery across communities in the state.
In a statement issued by the ACHPN, the practitioners clarified that they are affiliated with the National Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), which remains in active dialogue with the state government on sectoral issues. The group praised the government for its proactive steps, including the release of a promotion circular and the ongoing resolution of welfare-related concerns through constructive engagement.
The stance of the ACHPN has effectively exposed the fragility of the planned protest and its political undertones. Many within the health sector and civil society have begun to question the timing and motivation of the strike, describing it as a veiled attempt to undermine a government that has, by all standards, demonstrated good faith and tangible progress in addressing workers’ welfare.
Since assuming office, Governor Monday Okpebholo has positioned healthcare as a cornerstone of his administration’s human development agenda. Salaries are paid promptly, health institutions are being rehabilitated, and infrastructure renewal projects are taking shape across the state. Under his leadership, thousands of health workers have benefited from promotions, regularization of appointments, and improved working conditions.
Observers have described the governor’s approach as firm but humane, one that balances administrative discipline with genuine empathy. His government’s decision to prioritize open dialogue over confrontation has created a new culture of respect in government-labour relations, one that contrasts sharply with the tone of hostility and brinkmanship fueling the proposed strike.
It is therefore unsurprising that the credibility of the planned protest is fast collapsing under the weight of facts. The state’s continuing commitment to negotiation, the positive responses already recorded, and the willingness of key health associations to sustain dialogue all suggest that the strike lacks both moral and professional justification.
Political watchers argue that what is being paraded as a labour action is, in truth, an orchestrated attempt to politicize a settled industrial conversation; a strategy that undermines not just the government, but the integrity of the medical profession itself. By refusing to be drawn into a needless standoff, professional groups like the ACHPN have demonstrated maturity and loyalty to their oath of service, putting the health of Edo citizens above political theatrics.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration, on its part, has continued to act with restraint and focus, reaffirming its commitment to fair engagement and sustainable reform. The government’s record speaks for itself; improved working conditions, enhanced dialogue mechanisms, and clear evidence of good faith in every area of engagement.
The unfolding reality is that the so-called strike movement is fast losing credibility, as both the facts and the public mood align with the government’s position. Edo people, who have witnessed visible improvements in the health sector, understand that what is at play is not a legitimate struggle for justice but a politically engineered distraction.
Governor Okpebholo remains undeterred. His administration’s philosophy is rooted in inclusive governance, dialogue, and the pursuit of excellence in public service. While others may peddle dissent for political capital, his focus remains on building a resilient healthcare system anchored on fairness, professionalism, and accountability.
In the final analysis, the planned strike by the Medical and Health Workers Union stands exposed; a protest without moral spine, driven by ulterior motives, and confronted by the clear evidence of a government that has kept faith with its people.
In Edo State today, progress is speaking louder than propaganda, and truth has quietly outshone politics.
