FCT ADMINISTRATION WELCOMES COURT’S DECISION TO SUSPEND STRIKE BY WORKERS

… As Wike Warns Against Political Hijack Of Workers’ Demands

By: Rabi Musa Umar and Wisdom Acka

The FCT Minister has described the decision of the National Industrial Court to suspend the indefinite strike action by workers as a victory for the rule of law and a necessary step to protect the FCT from politically motivated disruptions.

Reacting to the court’s intervention while speaking with journalists shortly after the verdict, on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Barrister Wike noted that the judicial order mandates an immediate return to work and issued a stern warning that any attempt to block the gates of the FCTA or defy the court’s ruling would meet with severe consequences.

According to the Minister, “The court has called off the strike. If anybody dares to block the gate again, then I will use the person as a scapegoat because you must obey the law. We are in a democracy and not in a military government.

“I’ve given them the window. From tomorrow, if you don’t come to work, we are going to apply the big stick. If we see anybody who says he wants to block the gate, we will make you a scapegoat. The law must take its place”, the Minister reiterated.

Barr. Wike who also expressed concern that the strike action had been “hijacked” by political interests and disgruntled elements, warned that the FCT Administration will not succumb to blackmail, intimidation, or insults.

While noting that the administration remains open to genuine dialogue, the Minister said, “The moment you no longer act as a worker and you now act as a politician, then I will face you. We will treat you the way politicians are being treated”.

The Minister, who acknowledged the rights of workers to protest in a democracy, however, emphasized that the administration has already met the vast majority of the union’s demands.

He revealed that the FCTA has been proactive in addressing staff needs, noting that of the 14 demands presented by the union, over 10 have been fully resolved.

The Minister further detailed the administration’s commitment to the payment of wage awards, confirming that December payments were made while January payments have been processed and that of February is also on track.

“If you are requesting 14 things and the government has met over 10 of them, reasonably you should be able to give the government some time”, the Minister stated. “It is not correct to think that this administration will deny workers their entitlements or wages”.

The Minister used the opportunity to also clarify the FCT’s finances and the challenges of administration. He explained that the FCT only receives one percent share of what the Federal Government gets from the Federation Account and requires additional funding from internally generated revenue to meet its financial commitments.

Despite the challenges, Barr. Wike revealed that the FCTA, under the current leadership, has recorded appreciable growth in its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), from ₦9 billion to ₦30 billion, enabling it to fund massive infrastructure projects alongside worker welfare.

The Minister also reminded workers of the unprecedented institutional growth achieved under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, including the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of the first-ever Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries for the FCTA, exiting the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to allow for better financial flexibility and growth for workers.

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja had earlier ordered the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately suspend its ongoing indefinite strike.

In a ruling delivered today, Justice Emmanuel Subilim granted an interlocutory injunction sought by the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike to restrain the defendants – the President of the Joint Union Action Committee, Rifkatu Iortyer, its Secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh and their agents from embarking on any industrial action, picketing, or lockout.

The court held that under the Trade Dispute Act, once a matter has been referred to the Industrial Court, all parties must cease industrial action and maintain the “status quo” pending the final determination of the suit.

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted, restraining the claimants and representatives… from further embarking on any industrial action against the claimant. The order shall remain in force, pending the determination of this suit,” Justice Subilim said.

The court adjourned the matter until March 23, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.

The court’s decision comes after a week of total administrative paralysis in the FCTA due to the indefinite strike embarked upon by workers to demand the immediate payment of outstanding promotion arrears and wage awards as well as the remittance of long-overdue pension deductions, among others.