The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday ordered striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to resume work immediately or face legal action, following a ruling by the National Industrial Court directing an end to the industrial action that has disrupted public services in Abuja for more than a week.
Addressing journalists shortly after the court’s decision, Wike said the rule of law must be upheld and accused political actors of hijacking the strike for purposes unrelated to workers’ welfare.
“The administration was already in the process of mediation when some politicians hijacked the strike,” he said, adding that several of the demands were “frivolous” and either unreasonable or already resolved.
According to the minister, the FCTA approached the court after determining that the strike had been politicised despite ongoing dialogue and efforts to address a substantial number of workers’ grievances.
Wike highlighted steps taken by the administration to improve staff welfare, including regular salary payments and civil service reforms. He disclosed that over ₦12 billion had just been approved for the payment of January salaries to FCTA workers, describing the move as evidence of the government’s commitment to its workforce.
He also pointed to improved revenue performance under his leadership, noting that the FCT had generated more than ₦30 billion in internally generated revenue, significantly higher than figures recorded in previous years.
The minister urged workers to acknowledge reforms implemented by the administration, including the establishment of a Civil Service Commission and ongoing infrastructure investments across the territory.
“Workers are largely responsible for the lack of development in states, including the FCT,” he said.
Wike dismissed reports that he was forced out of his office during protests linked to the strike.
“I was never chased out of the office,” he said, explaining that he had only stepped out to see President Bola Tinubu off at the airport.
Taking a hard line against further disruptions, the minister warned that any attempt to shut down government offices again would attract consequences.
“Anyone who dares to lock the gates again will be made a scapegoat, because the law must be obeyed,” he said.
He also alleged that some senior civil servants were complicit in sustaining the strike, claiming that certain directors were instigating the action, though he said this would not deter the administration from enforcing the law.
Wike stressed that engagement between workers and the government did not require direct access to him personally.
“Seeing me in person is not a right,” he said, noting that workers’ representatives had been in talks with management throughout the dispute.
He concluded by warning that any staff who failed to comply with the court order and return to work immediately would face legal action, signalling a tougher enforcement phase as the FCTA moves to restore full public services.
FCTA workers, operating under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), had embarked on an indefinite strike on January 19 over unresolved welfare issues.
The National Industrial Court granted an interlocutory injunction halting the strike following an application filed by Wike. Justice E.D. Subilim issued the order on January 21 and adjourned the matter to March 23, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
In his ruling delivered on Tuesday, Justice Subilim held that the right to strike is not absolute.
“The defendants’ right to an industrial action is not absolute, but as circumscribed by law,” he said, barring workers from continuing the strike once the dispute had been referred to the court and ordering that all industrial action cease pending determination.
He further restrained the unions, their agents and representatives from engaging in any strike, picketing, lockout or obstruction against the FCTA, its parastatals and political appointees.
Counsel to the claimants, James Onoja (SAN), welcomed the ruling and urged the unions to comply while allowing room for mediation.
“We commend the court for making an order stopping the strike. This will allow the parties to discuss. Our plea to the union is to return to work and allow for mediation,” he said.
Counsel for the respondents, Maxwell Opara, described the workers as law-abiding citizens and said he would advise them to respect the court order.
“The workers are law-abiding citizens. We will advise them to respect the court. The court has also mandated mediation, not as advice but as a matter of law, and we must comply,” Opara said.
JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, confirmed that workers would obey the ruling, call off the strike and return to work immediately while continuing to pursue their demands.
“We are law-abiding citizens, and because the court has ordered us to return to work, we are returning, pending our next appearance,” she said.
