Gov Nwifuru Dares NLC, Gives Striking Workers 72hr Ultimatum to Return to Work or Face Mass Sack

Governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru of Ebonyi State governor has threatened to sack all the workers in the state for complying with the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the none implementation of the N70, 000 minimum wage.

The NLC had instructed its members  in state that have not started paying the new minimum wage to embark on strike from December 1, 2024.

Though the Ebonyi State governor had earlier announced that the state will pay the new minimum wage, workers in the state have, however, not been paid the new minimum wage. The none payment of the N70, 000 necessitated the workers joining members in 14 states and the FCT to embark on strike as directed by the NLC.

Reacting to the industrial action, Governor Nwifuru while addressing journalists on Monday in Abakaliki rather gave the striking worker a 72 hour ultimatum to return to work or face mass-sack.

The governor threatened, “If you don’t go to work, not only that I will not pay you salary, but I will replace you within 72 hours in your office.

“If I don’t see you in your office, consider yourself sacked. So far I am not guilty, I am not owing you

“I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. And according to the agreement and the Constitution, I am not owing you. If you don’t go to work within 72 hours I will replace you.

“And I have called the state chairman of the Civil Service Commission. I have directed all the commissioners to go to their offices. All the agencies, all the departments of government must be in their office and record the people that come to work. And that is the people I will pay through table payment.

“I will pay you by the number of days you attended to your duty in your office. If you don’t want to come to work, you will forget about the state government.”