By Our Correspondent
Tension erupted in Abuja on Monday as striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), supported by the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), attempted to intercept the convoy of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike at the FCTA Secretariat. The protest quickly escalated, with workers chanting “Ole! Ole! Ole!” — a term meaning “thief” — as they moved aggressively toward the minister’s vehicles.
The confrontation occurred against the backdrop of a total and indefinite strike declared by FCTA workers earlier this month over unresolved grievances relating to welfare, unpaid entitlements, promotion arrears, and poor working conditions. Despite repeated engagements between the unions and the FCTA leadership, demonstrators say their demands have not been meaningfully addressed, prompting a broader escalation of industrial action.
As Wike prepared to leave the FCTA Secretariat, the protesting workers attempted to block his motorcade, forcing a dramatic response from the minister. Security personnel intervened, and Wike reportedly slipped out through a back gate to avoid direct confrontation with the crowd.
In addition to the protest at the Secretariat, workers also gathered at the National Industrial Court in Abuja, where Wike had filed a lawsuit seeking to restrain the unions from continuing the strike, picketing offices, or disrupting official functions. The court is expected to hear the matter soon.
During demonstrations, workers carried placards with messages expressing frustration toward the FCTA leadership and calling for improved labour conditions. The slogans reflected demands for payment of promotion arrears, provision of adequate working tools, and general welfare improvements.
The involvement of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, who recently joined the industrial action, underscores the widening scope of the labour unrest in the nation’s capital. Union leaders have vowed to sustain the strike until their core demands are met, warning of further disruption if negotiations fail to produce results.
Authorities have appealed for calm and urged both sides to return to the negotiation table to avert further escalation and restore normal operations at the FCTA.
