The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have set clear conditions for ending the ongoing week-long strike by workers in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), maintaining that the industrial action will persist until government negotiates in good faith.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the leadership of both unions rebuked the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for what they described as threats and intimidation directed at striking workers after he urged them to return to work. They also criticised a recent ruling by the National Industrial Court in Abuja, which they say appears designed to undermine the strike and weaken the collective resolve of workers.
The statement, signed by the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Benson Upah, and the TUC’s General Secretary, Nuhu Toro, condemned the court’s decision as one-sided and “rubber-stamped,” alleging it was used as a tool to break the strike and make workers “perpetual slaves.” They argued that the court’s interlocutory ruling targeted only two individual union leaders, not the trade unions or their members, and therefore does not legally halt the collective action.
Labour leaders accused Wike of responding to the ruling not with dialogue but with threats and pressure tactics, describing the conduct as arrogant and unbecoming of a public official. The unions insisted that threats, insults, harassment, and attempts to intimidate workers cannot stop them from pursuing their legitimate demands. They reiterated that workers must defend their rights “with courage and dignity,” urging members to remain resolute amid sustained pressure.
“We had hoped that the minister would use the court’s ruling as an opportunity to reach out for an amicable resolution of the outstanding issues,” the statement read. “However, he has instead resorted to threats against workers, compounding their grievances with further intimidation and humiliation.”
The unions said the strike will only end when the FCT administration demonstrates a willingness to negotiate in earnest. They insisted that the strike will continue indefinitely if Wike refuses to come to the table to resolve the workers’ grievances, which include unpaid entitlements and other welfare concerns.
Beyond addressing the specifics of the dispute, the unions used the statement to call out broader concerns about judicial conduct. They applauded judges they said have upheld justice and protected the rights of the weak and the poor, but warned against so-called “cash and carry” judges whose decisions, they argued, erode public trust and imperil societal stability. The statement suggested that judges who issue questionable rulings should be held accountable, “if not by man, by God,” echoing the words of late journalist Dele Giwa to underline the seriousness of their criticism.
As the strike enters its second week, there is little indication that either side is willing to relent. While FCT authorities and the court have called on workers to abide by the ruling and resume duties, labour unions stand firm that meaningful negotiations must precede any suspension of industrial action.
For now, the standoff in Abuja reflects a broader tension between organised labour and government authorities over rights, working conditions, and respect for collective bargaining—issues that remain at the center of Nigeria’s ongoing industrial relations challenges.
