Wike must go, FCT workers demand Minister’s sack over protracted industrial action

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja over unresolved labour disputes.

The protest formed part of an ongoing total and indefinite strike by the workers, following an NLC directive endorsing the industrial action.

The labour centre described the strike as justified, citing what it called persistent violations of workers’ rights by the FCTA management and political leadership.

During the protest, workers carried placards with inscriptions such as “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough” and “No working tools”.

The protest disrupted activities at the court and formed part of an ongoing indefinite industrial action declared by the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the FCTA.

The workers accused the FCTA leadership of failing to address long-standing welfare concerns. They cited unpaid entitlements, promotion arrears, lack of essential working tools and alleged violations of workers’ rights.

Tension heightened as protesters chanted slogans including “Ole” and “Barawo”, expressing anger over what they described as mismanagement and neglect of staff welfare, as well as the minister’s decision to seek a court order to halt the strike.

The protest coincided with a scheduled hearing of a suit filed by Minister Wike and the FCTA at the National Industrial Court, seeking to restrain the unions from continuing the industrial action. The strike, which began in mid-January, has led to the shutdown of several government offices within the Federal Capital Territory.

A spokesperson for the protesting workers, speaking on behalf of JUAC, said the workers would not be intimidated, insisting that their demands were legitimate and overdue. The spokesperson added that the FCT required leadership that prioritises workers’ welfare rather than resorting to legal action.

The NLC reiterated its support for the strike, describing it as a justified response to persistent failure to address workers’ grievances.

Minister Wike had earlier described the industrial action as unnecessary, maintaining that several of the workers’ demands had already been met.