The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued fresh conditions to the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), warning that their members will not suspend the ongoing weeklong strike unless the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, agrees to open negotiations.
The labour centres condemned Wike’s directive ordering striking workers to resume duties immediately, describing his stance as arrogant and dismissive of workers’ rights.
In a joint statement signed by Benson Upah, Acting General Secretary of NLC, and Nuhu Toro, General Secretary of TUC, the unions accused Wike of securing a “rubber-stamped” ruling from the National Industrial Court in Abuja to weaken the strike and keep workers in perpetual servitude.
“Workers cannot be made slaves in their country. We stand for the rule of law and its observance to the hilt, no matter the status of the parties to this dispute,” the statement read.
The unions insisted that the strike would continue until Wike abandons threats and engages in dialogue.
“Finally, this strike continues until the Minister of FCT comes off his high horse and negotiates with the workers. Workers, keep fighting for your rights. It is safer to die on your feet than live on your knees,” Upah and Toro declared.
They urged workers to remain courageous and maintain morale despite intimidation, noting that the court’s interlocutory injunction was against two individual union leaders, not the unions themselves.
The statement also criticised the judiciary, commending judges who uphold justice but warning against “cash and carry judges” whose conduct undermines society. “They cannot be insulated from the consequences of the storms they create and they will be held accountable, if not by man, by God,” the unions said.
Workers in the FCT have shut down administrative activities for over a week, protesting alleged relegation of the workforce. Wike, in public remarks on Tuesday, threatened sanctions if workers failed to resume duties by Wednesday.
The unions dismissed his threats, insisting that negotiation is the only path to ending the industrial action.
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