Tension heightened in Abuja on Monday as protesters reportedly chased the convoy of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, amid an escalating strike by workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The incident occurred against the backdrop of an indefinite industrial action launched on January 19 by FCTA workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee. The strike was triggered by unresolved demands, including unpaid promotion arrears, outstanding allowances, and delays in pension-related payments. Union leaders insist that critical welfare concerns have continued to receive little or no attention despite repeated engagements with authorities.
According to reports, union members attempted to intercept the minister’s convoy as he exited the FCTA Secretariat through a rear gate. Chanting protest slogans, including calls for accountability, the aggrieved workers expressed frustration over what they described as prolonged neglect of their demands.
The situation further escalated as the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) joined the strike, leading to the closure of public schools across the Federal Capital Territory. The development has raised concerns among parents and residents about the broader social and economic impact of the ongoing standoff.
While the unions maintain that their grievances remain largely unresolved, the FCTA has countered these claims, stating that 10 out of the 14 demands presented by the workers have already been addressed. The administration has also approached the court, seeking an injunction to halt the strike action.
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Meanwhile, a court hearing on the matter has been adjourned to January 27, prolonging uncertainty over when normal activities may resume. As negotiations stall and protests intensify, residents of the FCT continue to feel the ripple effects of the escalating labour dispute.