Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday addressed the strike by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), urging them to return to work or face legal consequences following a National Industrial Court ruling that ended the industrial action.
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Briefing reporters shortly after the court’s decision, Wike stressed that the rule of law must prevail and accused political actors of exploiting the strike for agendas unrelated to workers’ welfare.
He stated that the FCTA approached the court after determining that the strike had been “hijacked by politicians,” despite the administration’s ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and fulfill a substantial portion of workers’ demands.
The minister added that mediation efforts were already in progress before the industrial action escalated, underscoring the administration’s commitment to addressing the concerns of its staff.
“The administration was already in the process of mediation when some politicians hijacked the strike,” Wike said, adding that several of the demands presented by workers were “frivolous” and either unreasonable or already addressed.
He said, “We believed in dialogue and engagement. We felt the issues could be resolved through discussion. But when it became clear that politicians were about to hijack the strike, we had no choice but to seek legal intervention. We decided to allow the court to determine, on merit, what the real issues were and whether the demands were justified.
“This is a democracy. Everyone has the right to protest. But strike action should always be the last option. If workers ask for 14 days and the government has already addressed the issues within 10 days, there should be room for understanding and patience.
“Security agencies and the administration engaged with the workers, but it became obvious that there was more to the situation.”
He maintained that the FCTA had made substantial efforts to meet workers’ concerns, including the payment of salaries and the introduction of reforms within the civil service.
Wike disclosed that more than ₦12billion has just been approved for the payment of January salaries to FCTA workers, a move he said demonstrated the administration’s commitment to staff welfare.
The minister also cited improved revenue performance as evidence of reforms under his leadership, stating that the FCT had generated more than ₦30bn in internally generated revenue (IGR), which he described as a significant increase compared with previous years.
Wike urged workers to acknowledge reforms undertaken by the administration, including the establishment of the Civil Service Commission and investments in infrastructure across the territory.
He argued that inefficiencies within the public service had contributed to underdevelopment not only in the FCT but in many states across Nigeria.
“Workers are largely responsible for the lack of development in states, including the FCT,” he said.
The minister also dismissed claims circulating on social media that he had been forced out of his office during protests linked to the strike.
He described the reports as false, saying he had merely stepped out of the office to see President Bola Tinubu off at the Airport.
“I was never chased out of the office,” Wike said.
Adopting a hardline tone, Wike warned against any further disruption of government operations, saying that attempts to lock government premises would attract severe consequences.
“Anyone who dares to lock the gates again will be made a scapegoat, because the law must be obeyed,” he said.
He further alleged that some senior officials within the civil service had played a role in sustaining the strike, claiming that certain directors were among those instigating the action.
However, he said this would not deter the administration from what he described as doing the right thing.
Wike stressed that engagement between workers and the government did not require direct access to him personally, noting that workers’ representatives had been in discussions with management throughout the dispute.
The minister cautioned that workers who failed to comply with the court order and resume duties from Wednesday would face legal action, signaling a tougher enforcement phase as the FCTA moves to restore full public services in the nation’s capital.
Wike said, “No one will stagnate this administration through blackmail or political games. If anyone wants to engage politically, they should do so openly.”
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