The Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose has announced through a televised broadcast shown on a media based in Ekiti State, over the weekend, his decision to embark on an indefinite strike.
Fayose said the decision to embark on the strike was in solidarity with workers, under the auspices of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), of the state civil service who have been on strike for more than a week .
Stating that he shared the pains and anguish caused by his inability to pay salary, due to dwindling resources against the N2.6 billion wage bill. It was gathered that salaries and grant to local government workers, primary school teachers and tertiary institutions in the state, were released in January.
All requests by Fayose and stakeholders, including the speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Kola Oluwawole, who held a meeting with the leadership of trade unions, including the Chairmen of TUC, Com Odunayo Adesoye, NLC, Com. Ade Adesanmi and JNC Secretary, Blessing Oladele on Friday to appease the striking labour unions did not yield any positive action, rather the labour leaders insisted that negotiation could only take place when salaries are paid.
The labour leaders allegedly expressed displeasure at the statement credited to Fayose, averring that he won’t sell his family to pay workers, describing the statement as ‘not only insensitive but inflammatory”.
Fayose in the broadcast declared : “I want to tell workers that I have placed myself on indefinite strike in solidarity with you. I shared your pains, but it was rather unfortunate that a man can’t give what he doesn’t have.
“I have told you the true position of the finances of the state, of which you had played critical roles in the allocation of federal allocations to relevant sectors which show how well I had carried you along since the dwindling revenue to the state commenced.
“During my first term, I mean, 2003 to 2006, I used to pay the salary of workers by 21st of every month. But the present situation is very unfortunate and we have to learn how to live with it until the country wriggles out of it and things will change for better.
“I want to say that I will be expecting you back to your offices when you are ready to return to work. I shall be expecting you because presently I am handicapped and there is nothing I can do.
“But before then, I have placed myself on indefinite strike in solidarity with your course. But I appeal that you put the interest of the state above everything because the present position affects everybody,” Fayose declared .
