The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sent a clear message to striking workers: the administration is ready to talk, but it will not be bullied.
Addressing journalists in Abuja following a court ruling that ordered an immediate end to the industrial action, Wike maintained that while he respects labor rights, the administration has already gone above and beyond to satisfy worker grievances.
Clarifying the administration’s stance, Wike noted that the government’s patience had reached its limit. “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,” the Minister asserted.
Wike emphasized that the move to seek legal intervention was a protective measure against external interference, rather than a first-strike tactic. He explained that the FCTA initially prioritized internal engagement.
“When the strike started, we did not rush to court. We believed in dialogue and engagement. But when it became clear that politicians were about to hijack the strike, we had no choice but to seek legal intervention,” he stated.
The Minister argued that in a functional democracy, strikes should be a final resort, not a primary weapon. “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 government addresses issues within 10 days, there should be room for understanding,” Wike added, drawing on his extensive background in local and state governance.
To provide context for the administration’s constraints, Wike pulled back the curtain on the FCT’s balance sheet. He highlighted a significant gap between federal statutory allocations and the actual cost of running the territory’s workforce.
“If the Federal Government earns ₦1 trillion, the FCT gets about ₦10 billion. Yet I just signed January salaries of over ₦12 billion. That means allocation alone cannot cover salaries and administration,” Wike explained. He noted that the administration has successfully boosted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from ₦9 billion to ₦30 billion to bridge this gap.
The Minister also took a moment to address social media “misinformation” claiming he had been forced out of his office by protesters. He dismissed these reports as politically motivated fabrications. “I was in my office, travelled to see Mr President, went to Turkey, and returned. These stories are pure misinformation,” he said.
Wike pointed to landmark reforms achieved under his watch, such as the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the Office of the Head of Service, as proof of his commitment to the workforce. “Before now, workers retired at director level. These reforms were not in place. You cannot expect us to spend all revenue on wages while abandoning infrastructure development,” he argued.
With the court ruling now in effect, the Minister warned that the time for “political games” has ended.
“Disobeying the law has consequences. From tomorrow, any worker who refuses to resume work will face disciplinary action. Anyone who blocks government facilities will face the full weight of the law,” Wike warned.
Closing his address, he reaffirmed that the rule of law remains paramount: “No one will stagnate this administration through blackmail or political games. Nigeria must operate under the rule of law.”
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