JUSUN Strike Is Not Our Making — Abia State Government

JUSUN Strike Is Not Our Making — Abia State Government

By David Maduako, Umuahia

The Abia State Government has stated that the recent industrial action embarked upon by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) on March 13, 2026, in the state is not the making of the government.

Addressing newsmen on April 9, 2026, at the Government House in Umuahia, the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwanna, said the government is not responsible for the strike action initiated by the Abia State chapter of JUSUN.

He noted that workers’ welfare remains a top priority of the state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, who has continued to demonstrate goodwill toward civil servants through the payment of various allowances.

Barr. Uwanna explained that the government could not pay JUSUN their leave allowance due to the union’s refusal to present detailed documentation of the disbursement of their consolidated salaries.

According to him, this documentation is necessary to determine whether the leave allowance being demanded is already embedded in their consolidated salary structure.

He emphasized that the union’s failure to provide the required documents makes it impossible for the government to proceed with the payment.

However, he assured that if JUSUN presents the details and it is confirmed that the leave allowance is not included in their consolidated salary, the government will pay the allowance within 24 hours.

Further explaining the situation, the State Accountant General, Deaconess Njum Onyemenam Umah, stated that JUSUN operates as an independent body with its own salary structure, known as a consolidated salary system.

She said the request for detailed records is aimed at verifying that the leave allowance is not part of the consolidated salary already paid to the union. Once this is confirmed, she assured, the government will promptly effect the payment.

It would be recalled that the Abia State chapter of JUSUN, led by its Chairman, Comrade Chinedu Eze, embarked on an indefinite strike on March 13, 2026, citing the government’s alleged failure to pay leave allowances, pensions, and other entitlements.

The union has vowed not to resume work until their demands are met.

The State Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and other top government officials were present at the briefing.
End.