CNPP Slams Lagos Doctors Over Strike

The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Lagos State Chapter comprising 25 political parties, has condemned incessant strikes by doctors in Lagos State public hospitals.

A statement issued by CNPP called on the doctors to always resort to peace and dialogue in settling dispute rather than resorting to strike all the time to press home their demands.

The statement was signed by CNPP State Chairman, Akinola Obadia; Secretary, Pastor Ayo Akintayo; Publicity Secretary, Dr. Smart Ofonyiri and Treasurer, Chief Emisbata Balogun.

CNPP said it viewed with grave concern the three-day warning strike upon by doctors in Lagos, saying that without prejudice to the rights of the doctors to seek a better welfare package, “we wish to warn against any act that could seriously jeopardise and threaten the precious lives and health of the people. We totally condemn the strike in its entirety.”

They said: “Whatever grouse they may have with government on the implementation of CONMESS and taxation of doctors must be weighed against the precious lives that may be and will definitely be lost because of their strike.

“We also wish to appeal to the doctors to resist the temptation of being unduly influenced or incited to go on strike by selfish politicians with the motive of taking political advantage of the situation.”

According to the statement, “The Lagos State CNPP is of the humble view that the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola is enlightened and reasonable enough to listen to genuine and reasonable demands of the doctors.

“Moreover, the government has given a public assurance to perfect whatever error may be involved in its implementation. We repeat that neither personal interest nor political motivation should be allowed to hold sway in this grave circumstance.

“We in the CNPP are great advocates of good remuneration for our doctors who are co-labourers with God to save lives and relieve pains but we strongly appeal to them to shun the method of going on strike to achieve better conditions of service considering their humanitarian and sworn moral obligation to protect and save lives.

“We therefore wish to appeal to our noble doctors to shelve the strike action, either warning or otherwise and resume negotiation with the government immediately. We cannot afford to toy with the lives of our people,” they added.

—Kazeem Ugbodaga