BREAKING: DSS Threatens Federal Workers’ Leader Over Ibadan Protest Against Tinubu Govt’s Unpaid Entitlements

Andrew Emelieze, who led a protest in Ibadan, Oyo State, against poor welfare conditions for federal workers, has reportedly been threatened by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In the last week of April, SaharaReporters reported that federal workers under the banner of the Federal Workers Forum (FWF) began an indefinite nationwide strike, kicking off in Ibadan, to protest against the non-payment of five months’ outstanding wage awards by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The strike commenced with hundreds of disgruntled workers staging a demonstration to express their frustration over what they described as the government’s continued neglect and insensitivity to their hardship.

FWF’s National Coordinator, Comrade Andrew Emelieze, and Secretary-General, Comrade Itoro Obong, said the protest followed a 21-day ultimatum earlier issued to the government — a deadline that expired without any official response.

"As earlier agreed, we the federal workers in Nigeria commence an indefinite protest nationwide today, 22nd April, 2025, to press home our demands for justice for federal government workers in Nigeria,” they had declared.

Unhappy with the demonstrations, DSS summoned the FWF leadership over a series of coordinated protests demanding payment of wage awards and better welfare for federal employees.

In a statement issued in the last week of April, the FWF disclosed that the DSS had invited its leaders for questioning. The group, however, maintained that it would not be intimidated by the move.

In a renewed attempt to suppress the agitation, the DSS reportedly contacted the forum’s coordinator, Emelieze, again two days ago, issuing a stern warning and reiterating the earlier summons.

Emelieze told SaharaReporters that he received a text message reminding him to honour the earlier DSS invitation, saying, "This is to remind you that you have not honoured DSS invitation to the State Headquarters.” “You now have another opportunity to do so to prevent any enforcement action, please," the message added.

"They have been on me to visit their state office in Ibadan," he told SaharaReporters.

"We made it known to our members and the general public through a press release, and it was widely published in the media.

"Two days ago, one of their officers sent a reminder, threatening enforcement if I don't honour their invitation. I had earlier replied to the sender that I should not in any way be threatened with such a message in a democratic system."

He, however, vowed not to be perturbed by the situation.

"I am not in any way disturbed. The struggle must continue no matter what happens. If there is a need for us to protest, I will not hesitate to lead again. I will forever remain committed to the struggle for the emancipation of the federal workers and the whole of humanity."