The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to return to their duty posts immediately or face legal action, following a court order halting the industrial action that shut down public services in Abuja for more than a week.
Wike spoke to journalists on Tuesday after the National Industrial Court ordered an end to the strike, insisting that the rule of law must be obeyed at all times. He accused political interests of taking over the protest, saying the action had gone beyond genuine labour concerns.
According to the minister, the FCTA was already engaging workers through mediation when politicians allegedly hijacked the strike for reasons unrelated to staff welfare. He described some of the demands presented by the unions as frivolous, noting that several had either been addressed or were unreasonable.
Wike said the administration decided to approach the court after concluding that the strike had been politicised, despite ongoing discussions and efforts to resolve outstanding issues with workers.
He highlighted steps taken by the FCTA to improve staff welfare, disclosing that more than ₦12 billion had just been approved for the payment of January salaries. He said the move reflected the administration’s commitment to workers, contrary to claims being pushed by those backing the strike.
The minister also pointed to improved revenue generation under his leadership, stating that the FCT had recorded over ₦30 billion in internally generated revenue, a significant improvement compared to previous years.
Wike urged workers to acknowledge reforms already implemented by the administration, including the establishment of the Civil Service Commission and increased investment in infrastructure across the territory.
Reacting to reports on social media that he was chased out of his office during protests linked to the strike, the minister dismissed the claims as false. He explained that he only stepped out briefly to see President Bola Ahmed Tinubu off at the airport.
Taking a hard line, Wike warned against any further attempt to disrupt government operations.
“Anyone who tries to lock the gates again will be made a scapegoat. The law must be obeyed,” he said.
He also alleged that some senior civil servants played roles in sustaining the strike, claiming that certain directors were actively instigating the action. According to him, this would not stop the administration from taking firm decisions.
The minister stressed that workers were not entitled to personal access to him, noting that their representatives had been engaging management throughout the dispute.
Wike concluded by warning that any worker who fails to comply with the court order and resume work immediately would face legal consequences, as the FCTA moves to restore normal services in the nation’s capital.
FCTA workers, operating under the Joint Union Action Committee, had embarked on an indefinite strike on January 19 over unresolved welfare issues before the court ordered the action suspended.