By Ghazali Ibrahim
Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), supported by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja, demanding the removal of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, amid an ongoing labour dispute that has paralyzed many public services in the nation’s capital.
The protest forms part of a total and indefinite strike declared by FCTA workers over what unions describe as persistent violations of workers’ rights, unpaid entitlements and poor working conditions. Union leaders said repeated negotiations with the FCTA administration have failed to resolve the long-standing grievances.
By mid-morning, hundreds of workers had gathered at the court premises, carrying placards with messages such as “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough” and “No working tools”. Protesters also chanted union solidarity songs as security personnel monitored the situation.
The strike which has compelled many FCTA offices and departments to shut down was initially triggered by a joint ultimatum from worker unions after the FCT administration did not fully address demands, including promotion arrears, unpaid allowances, pensions and poor welfare conditions.
The NLC said its support for the industrial action stems from what it called the FCTA leadership’s failure to honour agreements and respect workers’ rights, describing the strike as justified and lawful. Union leaders also called on the federal government to intervene and ensure a fair resolution.
While the FCTA management previously claimed that 10 out of 14 worker demands have been addressed, unions have rejected that assertion as incomplete, maintaining the strike will continue until all core issues are resolved.
As of the time of reporting, Minister Wike or the FCTA had not issued a public response to the protest or the call for his removal. The impasse highlights escalating labour tensions within the FCT administration and signals potential broader disruptions if negotiations do not yield swift progress.
