Wike Sues FCT Workers to Court, Unions Vow to Continue Strike [PHOTOS]
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken legal action against striking workers in Abuja.
The move comes as labour unions vow to sustain the ongoing shutdown across the FCT.
Court papers sighted by Politics Nigeria show that Wike, alongside the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), filed a suit at the National Industrial Court in Abuja.
The case targets the Joint Unions Action Committee, which represents workers across departments in the FCTA.
The suit, marked NICN/ABJ/17/2026, was assigned to Justice E. D. Subilim, as the minister accused the unions of paralysing government operations in the nation’s capital.
In the filing, the government alleged that workers engaged in picketing, blocked offices, and restricted movement.
It claimed these actions disrupted public services and daily administration in Abuja.
Wike and the FCTA asked the court to stop the unions and their officials from further industrial actions.
They warned that continued disruption could damage economic and administrative activities in the FCT.
The defendants in the suit are Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh.
They were named as representatives of the Joint Unions Action Committee.
At the initial court session, lawyers representing the minister were present.
The unions did not appear in court.
After reviewing the application, Justice Subilim ruled that the claim deserved consideration.
The court approved substituted service on the defendants.
In a ruling delivered on January 21, 2026, the judge ordered that court papers be served through newspaper publication and physical posting.
The notices are to be pasted at the JUAC office within the FCTA Secretariat in Garki, Abuja.
The court ruled that this method would count as valid service.
The case was then adjourned to January 26, 2026, for further hearing.
Despite the legal action, the unions rejected any suggestion of backing down.
JUAC released a statement to workers insisting the strike remains active.
The statement praised workers for obeying the stay-at-home directive.
It said the action would continue until all demands are addressed.
“We sincerely appreciate you for complying with the directive to stay at home. The strike action continues until our demands are met.”
The union also confirmed awareness of the court case filed by the minister.
It described the move as an attempt to intimidate workers.
“The union wishes to bring to the notice of all staff that the Minister of the FCTA has taken us to court.”
JUAC said it would not surrender under pressure.
It urged workers to remain united and stay away from duty.
“We will not relent in the struggle as well as allow agents of oppression to cow us into submission. JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment by any means.”
Workers were again asked to await further instructions.
“We appeal for your cooperation. Do well to continue to stay at home until further directive from JUAC.”
Recall Politics Nigeria earlier reported that FCTA workers had earlier shut down key offices in Abuja over unresolved welfare and salary-related issues, leading to widespread disruption of public services across the capital.
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