Federal Workers Plan Protest In Oyo Over Unpaid Salaries And DSS Arrest Of Labour Leader

Federal government employees in Oyo State are preparing to stage a mass protest on Monday, July 14, over delayed salaries and the continued detention of their leader, Andrew Emelieze, by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The protest, organized by the Federal Workers Forum (FWF), is scheduled to take place at the Federal Secretariat in Ibadan, where all workers have been directed to gather by 8 am. The demonstration aims to demand the immediate payment of four months’ salary arrears, which the group says have put severe strain on workers and their families.

In addition to the salary issue, the protest is also in response to the arrest and continued detention of Emelieze, the group’s national coordinator. The forum alleges that he was detained for speaking out against poor treatment of civil servants, particularly his criticism of the government’s failure to implement the new minimum wage.

The FWF argues that the new proposed wage of N70,000 is far from enough, insisting on a wage structure that includes full consequential adjustments and should be free from taxation. They are also calling for a 30 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to help workers cope with rising inflation and economic hardship.

The detained labour leader had reportedly been leading calls for the federal government to address several longstanding issues, including promotion arrears from 2021, overdue salary reviews, and unpaid allowances for workers in essential sectors like healthcare and education. He had also spoken against salary delays in universities and teaching hospitals.

The workers group says Emelieze’s detention is unjust and a reflection of how the government is silencing voices that demand fairness for ordinary Nigerians. They claim that he was secretly taken to court where a questionable warrant was used to extend his custody.

In preparation for the protest, the national secretariat of the FWF has issued formal instructions to all national executives, state coordinators, and volunteers to mobilize for the peaceful action. The forum is calling on workers across the country and the public to join the protest as a way of standing up for labour rights and demanding better treatment for civil servants.

The protest is expected to draw wide participation, especially among workers in ministries, health institutions, and federal agencies, who say they have waited too long for action on unresolved labour issues.

Monday’s protest could test the government’s handling of growing worker unrest, as frustration mounts over unmet promises and rising living costs. The group says it will not back down until its coordinator is freed and its demands are met.