Abati: I thought I could rattle Tinubu during media chat — but he knows what he’s doing

By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja and Moses Emorinken,

Striking members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) are set to call off their two-week-old strike.

This followed a closed-door meeting with Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other principal officers of the Upper Chamber yesterday in Abuja.

Other personalities at the meeting included NARD National President, Dr. Emeka Innocent Orji.

Addressing reporters after the meeting the senators, Orji said: “We had a very fruitful meeting with the Senate, led by the President of the Senate. From our discussions with them, we are very hopeful that when we table our discussions today before the National Executive Council (NEC), something positive will come out.

“From our interaction with the President of the Senate and the practical demonstration he did before us today, we are very confident that there would be light at the end of the tunnel in the next 24 hours.

“Because of the intervention of the President of the Senate, who is the Number Three Citizen and the assurance he has given us, our planned national protest has been cancelled while the decision on the ongoing strike would be taken as soon we meet.”

Also, Akpabio thanked the doctors for calling off their planned national protest and working towards an end to the strike.

He said: “I thank you, on behalf of the Senate, for honouring us with your decision not only to cancel the planned public protest but to also call off the strike in the interest of the suffering masses.”

“Your demands are well noted. Let me assure you that as soon as a minister in charge of Health is appointed, the Senate will work with him or her to expeditiously address all your grievances.

“The President Bola Tinubu-led administration is doctors-friendly and that explains the large number of medical practitioners he has appointed into his Cabinet. 

“Strike by medical practitioners should not be allowed, even for a day, because of the impacts it creates in the polity. That is why the Senate is determined to ensure through interactions and consultations with relevant offices, amicable settlement of the impasse is reached.” (Nation)