Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on Thursday called on the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to suspend its planned strike, warning that it could endanger the lives of over 20 million residents who rely on medical services. The NMA had given a 48-hour ultimatum for the dismissal of the state’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs following allegations of assault on a female doctor at Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital.

Governor Yusuf assured that the report from the investigative panel into the incident was already on his desk and would be acted upon immediately. He expressed disappointment over the strike threat, urging the NMA to allow due process to unfold and not risk the welfare of the public over what he called a “dispute between two adults.”

He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to addressing the matter swiftly, promising appropriate sanctions for anyone found guilty. The governor appealed to the doctors to consider the impact of the strike on vulnerable patients, particularly pregnant women, and called for the strike to be called off in the interest of public health.