The face-off between the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike and the striking workers of the FCT Administration (FCTA) deepened Tuesday as the latter vowed to continue their industrial action despite a court order and threats of sanctions.
The workers under the auspices of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), began an indefinite strike on Monday over what it described as the FCTA’s “breach of trust,” “inaction,” and the “deliberate demoralization” of its workforce through a litany of unresolved grievances.
Among 14 other demands from, the workers are demanding payment of five-month wage awards.
The strike has paralyzed activities at the FCT Secretariat and many other agencies, including schools and area council secretariats.
The strike has since crippled activities at the FCT Secretariat and many agencies.
Teachers at primary and secondary schools in the six FCT area councils have also joined the strike.
Agencies like the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), the FCT Water Board, among others, have remained shut.
Following the shutdown, the minister took the union leadership to the National Industrial Court, seeking a declaration that the strike did not comply with the Trade Disputes Act and argued that JUAC -led by President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh is not a registered trade union.
In his ruling yesterday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim ordered the workers to call off the strike to prevent crippling of government business.
Justice Subilim held that while a strike is a right for workers to express grievances, its adoption is not absolute.
Despite the court’s intervention, the workers have vowed to remain at home until their demands regarding staff welfare and the removal of Minister Wike are met.
Addressing her colleagues, the Chairperson of the FCDA Chapel, Felicia Okoro, insisted that the industrial action would continue.
“They have the guns, they have the resources, but the people’s power is greater than theirs,” she said, while hinting that the judgment would be appealed.
Shortly after the ruling, Wike addressed journalists, directing workers to return to their posts or face legal consequences.
He said the rule of law must prevail, maintaining that the FCTA had made substantial efforts to address concerns, including salary payments and civil service reforms.
Wike said that over N12 billion had been approved for January salaries; a move he said demonstrated commitment to staff welfare.
He also cited improved revenue performance, stating the FCT had generated over N30bn in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“Workers are largely responsible for the lack of development in states, including the FCT,” Wike said, adopting a hardline tone.
He further dismissed social media claims that he had been chased out of his office by protesters, explaining he had simply stepped out to see President Bola Tinubu off at the airport.
He said, “Any further attempts to lock government premises would lead to severe consequences, and seeing me in person is not a right.”
Meanwhile, the acting FCT Head of Service (HoS), Nancy Sabanti Nathan, has directed permanent secretaries and heads of departments to maintain staff attendance registers.
In a circular dated January 27, the HoS directed all staff to resume duties immediately, following the court order.
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