Federal workers to protest Monday over unpaid salaries, detention of leader

The Federal Workers Forum (FWF) has declared plans to hold a protest on Monday, July 14, in Oyo State to press for the payment of four months’ outstanding salaries and call for the release of its detained national coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze.

The group also reiterated its broader demands for improved working conditions and a more realistic national minimum wage, asserting that “N70,000 is not enough to cater for the needs of workers.”

The peaceful demonstration is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. at the Federal Secretariat in Oyo. According to the group, the rally will also serve as a platform to protest the continued detention of Emelieze by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Oyo State.

The group had previously announced a nationwide protest on July 8, 2025, aimed at securing the “unconditional release” of Emelieze, who was arrested by the DSS over his criticism of the federal government’s policies affecting civil servants.

In a statement issued by the FWF’s National Secretary, Comrade Itoro Obong, the group accused the DSS of holding Emelieze without just cause, stating he was being punished for speaking against “the insensitivity and injustices” faced by federal workers.

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The statement added that Emelieze had consistently championed issues such as full implementation of the new national minimum wage and had argued that it should be “exempted from taxation.”

He also advocated for a 30 percent Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), intended to offset the rising cost of living.

In its list of grievances, the Forum noted Emelieze had pushed for the settlement of unpaid promotion arrears dating back to 2021, and demanded the disbursement of pending salary reviews and peculiar allowances owed to workers in sectors such as healthcare and federal tertiary institutions.

The FWF further criticized ongoing delays in salary disbursement, especially within universities and colleges, and insisted on the full payment of wage awards and entitlements still owed.

The group urged all national and state executives, unit volunteers, and concerned members of the public to participate in the July 14 rally to demonstrate unity against what it called “growing repression and disregard for workers’ rights.”

“Sequel to our earlier notice, this is to convey an official letter from the national secretariat to all our national EXCOS, state coordinators, and MDAs unit volunteers that there will be a nationwide peaceful protest as below in solidarity for the release of our national coordinator who is still in DSS unlawful detention,” the Forum stated.

The Forum reiterated its list of demands, which includes: “Full implementation and non-taxation of the new national minimum wage, including consequential adjustments. 30% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) to cushion the effects of inflation.

“Immediate payment of all promotion arrears owed to federal workers from 2021 to date. Settlement of all outstanding salary reviews and peculiar allowances (25%-35%) owed to workers in key sectors such as health and federal teaching institutions.

“An end to salary delays, particularly in tertiary institutions. Full payment of all remaining wage awards and entitlements.”

Earlier reports indicated that Emelieze had been briefly released by the DSS following public pressure, only to be re-arrested days later. Sources revealed that he was secretly brought before a court where the DSS reportedly obtained what was described as a “fake warrant” to justify his continued detention.

(Sahara Reporters)