FCTA Workers Defy Court Order, Insist Strike Will Continue Despite Wike’s Threats

The standoff between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and striking workers of the FCT Administration (FCTA) escalated on Tuesday as the workers vowed to continue their indefinite strike despite a court order directing them to resume work.

The workers, under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), commenced the strike on Monday, accusing the FCTA of breach of trust, persistent inaction, and deliberate demoralisation of staff through unresolved welfare issues.

Among their key demands is the payment of five months’ wage awards, alongside 14 other grievances.

The industrial action has paralysed activities across the FCT Secretariat and several agencies, including the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), FCT Water Board, and area council secretariats.

Public primary and secondary schools across the six area councils have also been shut as teachers joined the strike.

In response, Wike approached the National Industrial Court, seeking a declaration that the strike violated the Trade Disputes Act.

He also argued that JUAC, led by President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, is not a registered trade union.

Delivering his ruling, Justice Emmanuel Subilim ordered the workers to suspend the strike to avoid disruption of government activities, noting that while strike action is a legitimate means of expressing grievances, it is not an absolute right.

However, the workers rejected the ruling, insisting they would remain at home until their welfare demands are met and Wike is removed as minister.

Addressing workers, the Chairperson of the FCDA Chapel, Felicia Okoro, said the strike would continue.

“They have the guns, they have the resources, but the people’s power is greater than theirs,” she declared.

A union official disclosed that the judgment would be appealed.

Wike Issues Stern Warning

Shortly after the court ruling, Wike warned striking workers to return to duty immediately or face sanctions.

He stressed that the rule of law must prevail, insisting that the FCTA had taken concrete steps to address staff concerns.

According to the minister, over ₦12 billion had been approved for January salaries, while the FCT had generated more than ₦30 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He accused workers of contributing to underdevelopment in states, including the FCT, and dismissed claims circulating on social media that he had been chased out of his office by protesters.

Wike warned against any attempt to lock government offices, saying such actions would attract “severe consequences,” adding, “Seeing me in person is not a right.”

Meanwhile, the acting Head of Service of the FCT, Nancy Sabanti Nathan, directed all staff to resume duties immediately and instructed permanent secretaries to maintain attendance registers, citing compliance with the court order.

NLC Backs Workers

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) faulted both the court ruling and Wike’s threats, insisting that the strike could not be broken by judicial orders.

In a statement, acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, accused the FCTA of committing grave injustices against workers, including the non-remittance of National Housing Fund (NHF) and pension deductions in violation of extant laws.

Upah expressed dismay that the court failed to address these alleged violations, describing the ruling as damaging to workers’ cause.

He warned that institutions violating the Pension Reform Act and NHF Act would face serious engagement from organised labour.

“Our hearts can never be broken. Workers are urged to remain resolute in their convictions,” he said.

Underlying Tensions

Sources suggested that the strike goes beyond welfare concerns, alleging that some senior officials were unhappy with Wike’s leadership style and the alleged denial of statutory allocations. While unions denied political interference, analysts noted that internal power struggles may be fuelling the crisis.

Wike, however, maintained that the strike had been hijacked by politicians and dismissed several demands as frivolous or already addressed.