Ondo Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner and the Deaths of Many Innocent Hospital Patients In Ówó

By Comrade Olabode Akinwale

IN ONDO STATE, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa introduced the OUR EASE Agenda as the development blueprint for his administration.

In the health sector, the “E” stands for Efficient Healthcare and Socio – Economic Welfare, with a strong focus on strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC).

Under the agenda, the government’s PHC priorities include:
i. Rehabilitation and Upgrade of Primary Health Centers in all the 18 local government areas of Ondo State.
ii. Expansion of Affordable Healthcare Access.
iii. Strengthening Maternal and Child Healthcare.
iv. Investment in Health Workforce.
v. Primary Health Center System Reforms and Monitoring.
vi. Equitable Rural Healthcare Delivery and
vii. Infrastructure and Equipment Improvement.

OUR EASE which is an acronym, broadly represents Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s governance priority around:
* Order/Security
* Urban & Rural Development
* Revolutionized Agriculture Infrastructure
* Efficient Healthcare & Welfare
* Education/Human Capital Development
* Adequate Power Supply/Energy
* Sustainable Development & Tourism.

It is safe therefore to affirm that Healthcare Delivery – most importantly at the primary level is one of the core pillars of the administration’s development strategies at delivering dividends of good governance to the people.

However, recent events in Ówó Local Government Area concerning effective, efficient and uninterrupted primary healthcare delivery points to the contrary.

All available information indicate that Healthcare Workers in Ówó Local Government are on strike with the knowledge and tacit permission of the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftancy Affairs in collaboration with the Special Adviser on Union Matters to the state Governor.

The Behind – the – Scene Actors.

On May 4, 2026 reports had it that the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Ówó Local Government, Ondo State, Comrade Adetunji Adene was rough – handled allegedly by suspected thugs within his house in Ówó town.

The attack which left the Chairman bruised and hospitalized drew the prompt attention and intervention of the appropriate law enforcement agents with the necessary investigative procedures and processes ongoing.

Although, the Police is yet to unravel the mystery surrounding the incident, local grapevine intelligence points to attack possibly triggered by unhealthy sexcapade activities by the Chairman with the girlfriend of one of the “Capones” or leaders of a notorious cult gang within the local government!

Another angle to the matter according to other local sources is the issue of mayhem that usually characterize electoral and tenural affairs of Union of Local Government Employees nation wide.

Nonetheless, no matter the reason or offense, an individual or group is not allowed under the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (As amended) to take the law in their hands.

And since the Nigerian Police is yet to conclude its findings on the case, it is preposterous to say the least for the NULGE Chairman to resort to self help by instigating the local government employees – especially the Primary Healthcare Workers to down tools in solidarity with his seemingly self – inflicted plight.

For the purpose of clarification, the Primary Healthcare Workers are under the supervision of the Honorable Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftancy Affairs, Alhaji Amidu Takuró.

His culpability and that of Mr Bola Taiwo, the Special Adviser on Union Matters is inexcusable in this wise.

The duo’s lack of tact and non – neutrality in handling the avoidable misunderstanding or grouse of the health workers vis a vis the present predicament of their union leader is unpardonable.

No proactive administrator (s) will allow the health sector under his watch to be grounded.
Because when health workers go on strike, the effects spread far beyond hospitals.

The implications can be medical, economic, political and social – affecting patients, governments, and the workers themselves.

On the part of the patients, the impact of the ongoing strike cannot be overemphasized.

Urgent surgeries are now postponed. Clinics and out – patient services have shut down. Patients with chronic illnesses (diabetes, hypertension, HIV, cancer, etc) now miss their treatment, while emergency response system is completely paralyzed.

The gory implications of the above narrative on the local government are humongous:

* Increased mortality and complications will be recorded.
* Preventable deaths will increase.
* Maternal and infant mortality will rise.
* Diseases outbreak may also worsen.

Except the government wants the people to resort in frustration to patronizing unlicensed health practitioners, traditional healers, fake drug vendors and or indulge in self – medication, the two government appointees must as a matter of immediacy be interrogated properly to determine their levels of liability in the current Ówó Local Government’s healthcare workers industrial action debacle.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa cannot at this point in the life of his administration afford to fail the people that elected him.

His OUR EASE Agenda is resonating with the masses and any government appointee who cannot key in or think outside the box in resolving simple industrial related issues before escalation is not worth the responsibility assigned nor the confidence reposed.

Mr Governor, please help stem the tide.

Comrade Olabode Akinwale writes from Akure, Ondo State.