Embattled governor of Ogun state, Ibikunle Amosun, has launched a verbal attack on his state workers for threateninig to go on strike over certain welfare demands.
The governor said the workers were unreasonable in their demands, adding that he cant give what he doesnt have.
He said this on Wednesday at a town hall meeting organised by the Ministry of Budget and Planning at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.
The workers had issued an ultimatum to embark on a strike on Thursday if the government failed to heed their demands.
The government had also responded with a threat of no work no pay, should the workers make good their threat to commence an industrial action on Thursday.
Governor Amosun expressed displeasure that workers were making certain demands even though they were aware of the state’s financial status.
He said despite the nationwide financial challenges, his administration had been conistent in taking care of the welfare of workers.
‘We all know this, yet some are not using their brains. They don’t have brains and they don’t know what they are doing,” he said.
“They don’t have sense. I cannot give what I don’t have. Teachers alone collect N2 billion monthly.”
He urged any of the workers interested in politics to resign and join politics, alleging that the strike was politically motivated.
“If you want to join politics go and resign, you can then become card carrying member of political parties, you can start printing posters if you want to contest,” Amosun said.
The governor also declared that his administration would crush any civil servant who wants to run down the government without justification.
Meanwhile, leaders of the workers shunned a meeting called by traditional rulers to resolve the issue.
The Chairman of the Traditional Council, Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro, said the workers expressed total disregard for the traditional institution and elders by shunning the parley.
“The Paramount Rulers and all Obas in Ogun State are not in support of any call by the organised labour to call workers out to embark on any action at a critical time in the history of our nation,” the monarch said.
“Strike is not the solution to the problem confronting the nation as the critical productivity sectors of the State will suffer.
“The organised labour are enjoined to show understanding and perseverance during this recession period with the state government that is striving within its means to ensure that salaries are paid regularly as and when due, compared to their contemporaries in other states being owned several months of unpaid salaries.”
Chairman of the Joint Negotiation Council, Abiodun Olakanmi, insisted that workers would proceed on strike on Thursday.
