FCT Minister Wike Warns Striking Workers: Refuse Court Order to Resume and Face Consequences

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has issued a stern warning to striking workers, saying any employee who refuses to return to work on Wednesday, January 28, in defiance of the National Industrial Court’s injunction, will face disciplinary action and be made a “scapegoat.”

Speaking to journalists shortly after the ruling, Wike said his administration would enforce the order without hesitation:

“From tomorrow, if you don’t come to work, we are going to apply the big stick. And from tomorrow, if we see anybody trying to block the gate, we will make you a scapegoat. The law must take its place.”

Wike insisted the FCTA had addressed 10 of the workers’ 14 demands, questioning the rationale for an indefinite strike.

“If the workers made 14 demands and government has met 10, what exactly is the issue?” he asked, accusing some union actors of harboring “ulterior motives” unrelated to labor grievances.

Court Injunction: Right to Strike Not Absolute

In suit NICN/ABJ/17/2026, the National Industrial Court (NICN), presided over by Justice E.D. Subilim, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining leaders of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) — Chairman Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Umar Saleh — from continuing the ongoing strike.

Justice Subilim ruled that although the dispute qualifies as a trade dispute, the right to strike becomes limited once the matter is referred to the NICN.
The case was adjourned to March 23, 2026, for hearing.

Strike Timeline and Impact

The indefinite strike began on January 19, 2026, over issues including:

• Promotion arrears
• Withheld allowances
• Pension irregularities
• Broader welfare concerns

On Monday, January 26, FCTA teachers joined the action, leading to widespread school closures.
Other essential services — health centers, administrative units, waste collection, and road maintenance — have also been disrupted.

Tensions rose on Monday when striking workers blocked the main FCTA Secretariat gate and pursued Wike’s convoy as it exited through an alternate route.
Video clips showed protesters chanting “Wike must go.”

Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, told Arise News that the alternative exit was a security decision to avoid escalation and allow the Minister to reach the airport to see off President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Union and Government Positions

• The NLC, TUC, NUT, and affiliates issued a 14‑day ultimatum (expiring February 7), demanding immediate implementation of the 2021 CONHESS adjustment.
• The Federal Ministry of Health — in a January 25 statement — outlined a resolution framework, including the ongoing NSIWC job evaluation (Nov 2025–May 2026).
• The Ministry denied deliberate delays or discrimination and urged unions to suspend the strike and allow dialogue to continue.

Current Status

As of Tuesday afternoon, compliance with the court order remains uncertain.
Some unions have indicated they may continue mobilizing despite the injunction.

Public services remain severely disrupted across the FCT, affecting residents, businesses, and schools.

The court order halts the strike pending the substantive suit, while tensions between labor unions and the FCTA over welfare, pay equity, and administrative governance remain unresolved.