Nyesom Wike, minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has warned that any FCTA worker who refuses to resume duty after a court order will face disciplinary action.
Gatekeepers News reports that Wike spoke with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday shortly after the national industrial court directed the workers to suspend their strike. He said disobeying a valid court order would not be tolerated and stressed that enforcement would begin immediately.
“Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must we allow people break the law flagrantly? I have given them a window but from tomorrow, if they don’t come to work, we will apply the big stick,” he said.
“From tomorrow (Wednesday), if we see anybody who wants to block the gate, they will be made a scapegoat. The law must take its place.”
The minister said the FCTA had already shown readiness to resolve the dispute through dialogue, noting that labour leaders had met with management before the strike action escalated. He insisted that the administration remained open to genuine talks but would resist pressure tactics.
“We have been disposed to dialogue. They have met with management, so what are the issues? If genuinely they want dialogue, then we’ll talk,” Wike said.
“But if it’s on blackmail and intimidation, then we will not agree.”
FCTA workers began an indefinite strike last week over unresolved welfare and labour issues, a move that disrupted activities in several government offices across Abuja. In response, the FCT administration approached the court, challenging the legality of the industrial action.
On Tuesday, the national industrial court in Abuja ordered the workers to immediately call off the strike. In his ruling, Emmanuel Subilim, the presiding judge, said that while the case qualifies as a trade dispute, the right to strike is not absolute once the matter is before the court. He added that any ongoing industrial action must stop pending the court’s final decision.
The FCT administration has insisted that normal services must resume as the legal process continues.
