Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why the FCT Administration (FCTA) sought legal intervention over the recent strike by its workers, insisting the action was necessary to prevent a breakdown of law and order.

 

Wike spoke to journalists in his office following a ruling by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, presided over by Justice E. Subilim, which ordered workers under the Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) to suspend the strike.

 

According to the minister, the government had already met most of the workers’ legitimate demands, but the strike was later hijacked by political interests, leaving the administration with no option but to approach the court.

 

“When the strike started, we believed in dialogue. We felt the issues could be resolved through discussion. But when it became clear that politicians had hijacked the strike, we had no choice but to go to court and allow the law to decide,” Wike said.

 

While acknowledging workers’ right to protest in a democratic system, the minister stressed that industrial action should be a last resort.

 

“This is a democracy. Everyone has the right to protest. But if workers made 14 demands and government addressed about 10, there should be room for understanding and patience,” he stated.

 

Drawing from his experience as a former governor and local government chairman, Wike said he understood labour struggles but warned against what he described as unrealistic expectations.

 

“When demands are legitimate, government should acknowledge them. But it is not always possible to implement everything at once. Government does not deny legitimate entitlements, especially wages,” he added.

 

Wike also dismissed reports claiming he was chased out of his office during the strike, describing such accounts as false and politically motivated.

 

“I was in my office, went to the airport to see Mr President, travelled to Turkey, and returned. These stories are deliberate misinformation,” he said.

 

On the issue of salaries, the minister disclosed that he had approved the payment of over ₦12 billion as January salaries, noting that the FCT receives only one per cent of federal revenue.

 

“If the Federal Government earns ₦1 trillion, the FCT gets about ₦10 billion. That allocation alone cannot even cover salaries, not to talk of running the administration,” he explained.

 

Wike said the administration had improved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), increasing it from about ₦9 billion when he assumed office to ₦30 billion.

 

“When we take steps to improve IGR, people complain. But that progress is what sustains salaries, reforms, and development,” he said.

 

He highlighted reforms introduced under the current administration, including the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of permanent secretaries, and the creation of the Office of the Head of Service.

 

“Before now, workers retired at director level, but they can now rise to Permanent Secretary. This was made possible by the Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike said.

 

The minister warned that following the court order, any worker who failed to resume duties would face disciplinary action.

 

“Disobeying the law has consequences. From tomorrow, any worker who refuses to resume work will face disciplinary action. Anyone who attempts to block government facilities will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.

 

Wike insisted that dialogue with labour unions had not broken down and would continue under his leadership.

 

“No amount of blackmail or political games will intimidate this administration. We will obey the court, and everyone else must do the same,” he declared.