“I’ll replace you within 72 hours” – Gov Nwifuru Threatens Ebonyi Workers Over Strike

Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has vowed to withhold the salaries of striking workers and replace any worker who fails to report to their office within 72 hours.

This comes amidst the strike action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

The governor made the disclosure in a live broadcast from his office at the Government House Centenary City Abakaliki on Monday.

The governor expressed his displeasure with the strike action, citing the state government’s efforts to improve workers’ welfare. He claimed that the state government has paid a minimum wage of N75,000 to workers in Grade levels 1 and 2, and a N40,000 increment to Grade level 3-17.

His words, “If you didn’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 didn’t see you in your office. As far as I am not guilty. I am not owing you. I am paying you what is supposed to be paid. And according to agreement and constitution I am not owing you. If you didn’t go to work within 72 hours I will replace you. And I have called the chairman civil service commission.

“I have directed all the commissioners to go to their offices. All the agencies, all the department 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. By the number of days you attend to your duty in your office. If you don’t want to come to work. You will forget about state government.”

The NLC national leadership had ordered a seven-day warning strike in Ebonyi and other states that have yet to comply with the New National Minimum wage.