Wike drags FCT Labour Unions to court over prolonged strike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has filed a suit against organised labour unions in the territory over the ongoing indefinite strike by FCT area council workers, describing the action as illegal and disruptive to public services.

The suit, filed at the National Industrial Court (NIC), Abuja, seeks an order compelling the striking workers to resume duties immediately, pending the determination of issues surrounding their demands. The action was instituted against key labour bodies involved in the strike, including the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), FCT chapter.

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The strike, which entered its extended phase this week, has crippled activities across the six area councils of the FCT — Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji. Primary schools, health centres and council secretariats remain shut, affecting thousands of residents.

Workers are protesting the alleged non-implementation of the new national minimum wage, non-payment of arrears, and poor welfare conditions by area council authorities. Union leaders insist the strike will continue until their demands are met.

In the court filings, the FCT Administration argued that the strike violates established labour dispute resolution mechanisms and poses a threat to public order and essential services in the nation’s capital. The legal team, acting on behalf of the FCT Minister, urged the court to declare the industrial action unlawful.

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Reacting, Comrade Stephen Knabayi, Chairman of NULGE in the FCT, accused the government of failing to honour previous agreements, insisting that workers were left with no option but to down tools.

Efforts to resolve the crisis through mediation have so far stalled, despite meetings involving the FCT Administration, area council chairmen, and labour representatives.

The court is yet to fix a date for hearing, as tension continues to mount across the territory over the prolonged shutdown of council services.

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