By Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday accused politicians and some senior officials of the FCT Administration of hijacking the workers’, saying the industrial action had derailed from legitimate labour agitation and was being driven by interests seeking to undermine the administration.
Wike, who addressed journalists shortly after the National Industrial Court ordered the suspension of the strike, said the FCTA resorted to legal intervention only after it became clear that the action had been taken over by political actors and persons uncomfortable with ongoing reforms in the administration.
He insisted that the strike was no longer about workers’ welfare, adding that the administration had addressed substantial parts of the demands before the action “suddenly took a different turn”.
“The issue of the strike is not new. I believe the administration has reasonably met the demands of the workers. However, we must be honest and admit that some of the demands are frivolous and go beyond what workers are legitimately entitled to,” he said.
He said the administration opted for dialogue until it became evident that the strike was being manipulated for political ends.
“When the strike started, we did not rush to court. We believed in dialogue and engagement. We felt the issues could be resolved through discussion. But when it became clear that politicians were about to hijack the strike, we had no choice but to seek legal intervention,” Wike said.
The minister said the court was approached to determine “on merit” the real issues behind the industrial action, stressing that disputes in a democracy must be resolved through legal means, not political agitation or misinformation.
“This is a democracy. Everyone has the right to protest. But strike action should always be the last option. If workers ask for 14 days and the government has already addressed the issues within 10 days, there should be room for understanding and patience,” he said.
He also claimed the strike gained momentum after individuals with vested interests realised that the administration’s reforms had disrupted long-standing practices within the FCTA.
“We are also aware that some directors are involved in instigating these actions because things are no longer business as usual. In the past, contracts were handled recklessly. That era is over, and some people are uncomfortable with the reforms,” the minister said.
Wike dismissed reports that he was chased out of his office during the unrest, describing them as deliberate falsehoods spread by those “aligned with political interests”.
He said, “There were claims that I was chased out of my office. That is completely false. I was in my office, went to the airport to see Mr President who was travelling to Turkey and I returned. These stories are deliberate misinformation driven by political interests.”
He warned that anyone who attempts to disrupt government operations or block access to facilities would face the full weight of the law.
“Workers must act as workers, not politicians. Anyone who disobeys the law or attempts to block access to government facilities will face the full weight of the law. We will not tolerate disorder,” he said.
Wike said the administration had not resisted dialogue, insisting that all engagement between management and unions had been with his approval.
“I reject the suggestion that there is no dialogue. No meeting with management happens without my consent. Seeing the minister is not a right. I am here to do what is right,” he said.
He maintained that some of the workers demands like tenure extension, could not justify shutting down the government offices.
In his words, “Certain issues raised, such as tenure extensions, are entirely within the prerogative of leadership and do not justify strike action. Nigeria must operate under the rule of law,” he said.
Following the court’s decision, the minister said workers were expected to resume duties immediately.
“Disobeying the law has consequences. I am in the office today. From tomorrow, any worker who refuses to resume work will face disciplinary action. Anyone who attempts to block government facilities will be treated as a scapegoat under the law,” he said.
