Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has escalated the ongoing labour dispute in the nation’s capital by filing a lawsuit against striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), seeking a judicial order to halt their indefinite industrial action. The legal move marks a new phase in the standoff between the FCT leadership and its workforce, which has paralysed public services and government operations in Abuja.
Workers under the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) began an indefinite strike on Monday, following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued over what they described as non-resolution of longstanding labour, welfare and administrative demands. The strike has resulted in the closure of several key government offices, including the FCTA Secretariat, and prompted the deployment of security operatives to restrict access to the complex.
In response, Wike and the FCTA filed a suit at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN), Abuja Division, under suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026, challenging the legality of the ongoing industrial action and seeking an injunction to restrain the unions and their leaders from “picketing, blocking access roads, shutting offices or engaging in any act capable of disrupting the administration of the FCT.” The defendants in the suit include the JUAC President, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary-General, Abdullahi Saleh, both sued in their representative capacities.
At the initial hearing on Thursday, Justice E. D. Subilim granted the applicants — the FCT minister and the FCTA — leave for substituted service, allowing the court processes to be served on the union leaders through publication in a national newspaper and by pasting notices at the JUAC office within the FCTA Secretariat in Garki, Abuja. This step was taken in light of the absence of the defendants when the matter came up for hearing. The case was then adjourned to January 26, 2026 for a motion on notice.
Legal documents before the court allege that the strike is not only debilitating government functions but also unlawful, asserting that the industrial action and associated activities could undermine the smooth running of the FCT administration if left unchecked. The suit further challenges the legitimacy of the union’s action under the Trade Disputes Act, with the FCTA arguing that the umbrella body may not qualify as a registered trade union permitted to declare such a strike.
Despite the court action, the Joint Unions Action Committee has publicly reaffirmed its determination to continue the strike. In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Holina Adejoh, the union leadership thanked workers for staying away from duty in compliance with the strike directive and made it clear that the industrial action will persist until their demands are fully met. The union also acknowledged awareness of the court case, characterising it as an attempt to intimidate workers and urging continued solidarity and adherence to the strike until further directives.
The dispute has drawn significant public attention due to its impact on public service delivery and daily life in Abuja, where government offices remain largely shut down and residents have expressed frustration over delays in accessing administrative services. Analysts say the legal confrontation underscores the tension between government efforts to maintain administrative continuity and workers’ insistence on redress for unresolved labour issues.
As the case proceeds in court, all eyes will be on the National Industrial Court’s handling of the matter, with the January 26 hearing expected to shape the trajectory of the labour dispute and potentially determine the next phase of negotiations or legal resolutions.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments