· Wike set for Abuja return
· Resident doctors embark on strike Monday
By Sarah NEGEDU
Tension is brewing at the Federal Capital Territory Administration as workers are threaten to down tools if unresolved labour issues are not addressed before Wednesday this week.
The warning is from the Joint Union Action Congress, JUAC, the umbrella body representing workers in the FCTA, which issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Wike, who has been on a tour of local governments in his home state of Rivers State since December 2025 is expected back to Abuja on Monday barring any last minute change.
He is returning after the grand finale of his ‘thank you visits’ which held at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, former Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Obio/Akpor LGA.
Wike during his time off from the FCT upped his rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara which has seen the governor served with an impeachment notice by the State Assembly over allegations of gross misconduct.
In the JUAC ultimatum, dated January 8, 2026, warned that failure to meet their 18-point demands by January 15, could trigger industrial action which many fear would disrupt public services across the nation’s capital.
A circular signed by JUAC president, Comrade Rifkatu Iortyer, and secretary, Comrade Abdullah Umar Saleh, accused the FCTA management of repeatedly failing to address legitimate worker concerns despite multiple engagements and correspondences.
JUAC urged its members “to remain united, law-abiding, and resolute as we collectively pursue fairness, justice, and improved welfare for workers in the FCT Administration.”
The workers’ demands cover issues affecting salary, allowances, administrative processes, and staff welfare.
For salary and allowances, the workers are demanding the immediate release of approved overhead costs for six months in 2025, payment of outstanding five-month Wage Award arrears, non-payment of 2023 promotion arrears, and settlement of 13-months hazard allowance and 22-months rural allowance for FCT health workers.
While listing some administrative and HR issues affecting workers, JUAC described as unlawful the centralization of salary preparation and payment, citing the presence of overstayed overseeing directors in the FCTA.
JUAC criticised the “extension of tenure of retired directors and permanent secretaries in the FCT” and also the “Unlawful restriction and centralization of salary preparation and payment vested in the hands of few individuals.”
The union also queried the defective promotion examination process with a pass rate of only 22.5%, as well as failure to upgrade the FCDA information office to a full department, and refusal to observe financial autonomy and established thresholds for secretariats and Heads of SDAs.
On staff welfare and infrastructure, the memo highlighted non-remittance of National Housing Fund deductions and pension contributions since May 2025, staff intimidation and harassment including “ban on phone usage of FCT AGIS staff.”
They also condemned the non-payment of enforcement personnel and cleaners, lack of an efficient staff transport system, absence of housing schemes for staff, and revocation of the JUAC garden allocation from 2023.
The circular therefore directed all affiliate unions to sensitize members, remain on high alert, and prepare for further instructions should the administration fail to respond positively within the ultimatum period.
JUAC noted that the ultimatum follows repeated failed attempts to resolve grievances that have simmered since 2025, signaling growing frustration among workers over unresolved welfare and operational issues.
Observers warn that if the demands are ignored, the impending strike could affect administrative operations across Abuja.
The situation is further compounded as resident doctors are set to resume their strike Monday, January 12 raising concerns over continuity of healthcare services.
