Wike Drags Striking FCTA Workers to Court as Abuja Offices Remain Shut

Wike Drags Striking FCTA Workers to Court as Abuja Offices Remain Shut

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken the ongoing industrial dispute with workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to court, escalating tensions as the indefinite strike continues to paralyse government activities in Abuja.

Wike, through the FCTA, filed a suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja Division, against the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC), which represents striking FCTA and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) workers. The suit seeks to restrain the unions from continuing the strike, picketing government offices, or taking any action capable of disrupting public administration in the nation’s capital.

Court documents show that the minister is asking the court to declare the strike illegal, arguing that it poses a serious threat to governance and essential services in Abuja. The FCTA also questioned the legal standing of JUAC, insisting that the body is not a registered trade union under relevant labour laws.

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At the first hearing, union leaders were absent, prompting the court to approve substituted service of court papers through newspaper publication and posting at the union’s offices. The matter has been adjourned to a later date for further hearing.

Despite the legal action, the FCTA workers’ strike has continued. Reports indicate that workers have shut down major FCTA and FCDA offices, demanding the payment of outstanding entitlements, promotions, and improved welfare conditions. Union leaders insist that the strike will not be suspended until all demands are fully addressed.

The strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum earlier issued to the FCT minister, after negotiations reportedly failed. Workers have also accused the FCTA management of ignoring their grievances, while calling for direct engagement with Wike.

Reacting to the strike, aides to the minister maintained that the action was “unnecessary”, claiming that the government had already resolved a significant number of the workers’ demands. They urged the unions to return to the negotiation table and allow normal activities to resume in Abuja.

The development comes amid heightened labour tensions in the FCT, with analysts warning that a prolonged shutdown of administrative offices could further strain service delivery in the capital.

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Wike Drags Striking FCTA Workers to Court as Abuja Offices Remain Shut