FCTA Workers Demand Wike’s Sack, Await Court Ruling
NLC, FCTA Workers Picket Industrial Court, Demand Wike’s Removal
WORKERS of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Monday stormed the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) in Abuja as part of their ongoing protest over unresolved labour disputes.
The workers, who are observing a total and indefinite strike, picketed the court premises following directives from the NLC, which declared full support for the industrial action. The protest came as the court prepared to rule on an application seeking to halt the strike.
Placards, Protests and Welfare Demands
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears” and “Enough is Enough”, the workers accused the FCTA management and political leadership of persistent violations of workers’ rights.
The strike, which began last Monday, led to the shutdown of the FCTA secretariat and other agencies despite heavy security presence by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
According to the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC), the industrial action followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCTA management on January 7, 2026. The ultimatum, signed by JUAC President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh, was reportedly ignored despite several meetings.
Unions Accuse Minister of Refusal to Engage
JUAC Vice President Musa Istifanus said the strike became unavoidable after repeated efforts to engage the FCT Minister failed.
“Our major issue is welfare,” Istifanus said, citing unresolved promotion arrears, unpaid salaries and lack of working tools. He accused the minister of refusing to meet with union representatives.
Court to Decide on Bid to Halt Strike
Meanwhile, Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the NICN adjourned proceedings until today to rule on a motion filed by the FCT Minister and the FCTA seeking to restrain the workers from continuing the strike.
The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, lists JUAC leaders as defendants and asks the court to compel workers to return to duty. The judge declined an application to join the NLC and TUC as parties, ruling that they were not originally sued.
