Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has given striking workers a 72-hour ultimatum to return to their duties or face replacement. The strike, led by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), was initiated to push for the implementation of the minimum wage.
In a statement from his office in Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru criticized the action, emphasizing that the National Assembly's resolution focused on the minimum wage, not a general salary increment. He expressed surprise at the strike, asserting that his administration began paying the new minimum wage in October and has no outstanding payments of salaries, pensions, or gratuities.
To address the situation, he announced that attendance registers would be opened in ministries and government offices to track compliance. The governor warned that those failing to resume work within the deadline would be replaced, prioritizing public interest over individual grievances.