The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has threatened to enforce a “no work, no pay” policy against workers participating in the indefinite strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress in the territory, accusing the union of using the dispute for political purposes.
Wike issued the warning on Friday, October 9, after a high-level administrative meeting, insisting that the FCT Administration would not yield to what he described as political blackmail.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Wike said he had directed chairmen of the six area councils to ensure that teachers and other civil servants who joined the industrial action faced the consequences of their absence from work.
“We have directed the chairmen of the area councils to call their teachers and state clearly: if anybody participates in this, we will implement no-work, no-pay,” he said.
“Enough is enough; we cannot continue with this,” he added.
The minister maintained that the strike was unjustified, arguing that the administration had addressed or was implementing the demands raised by teachers and other education workers.
“We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public: this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it.
“There is no basis for anybody to call for a strike. We don’t have any issue with the Local Education Authorities or primary schools. Everything we have agreed on, we are implementing,” he said.
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Wike also claimed that some groups within the education sector had distanced themselves from the action because the issues raised were already being addressed.
He accused the FCT NLC leadership of allowing political interests to influence its decision, alleging that the union chairperson contested the February FCT area council elections on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
“You can see his interest. He is trying to ensure the FCT is in crisis as a political tool, telling voters that pupils are at home. We will not accept that blackmail,” he said.
“If you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to do so, but excuse yourself from holding union leadership so you don’t politicise it,” Wike maintained.
The NLC had ordered workers in the FCT, including private-sector employees, to begin an indefinite strike after a seven-day ultimatum to Wike expired.
The union’s FCT chairman, Knabayi Adalo, said its demands included removing the vacancy requirement for teachers’ promotions and withdrawing redeployment and demotion letters issued to certain education directors covered by the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022.
However, the FCT chapters of the Trade Union Congress and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools rejected the strike, directing their members to continue working.
The TUC said it was not consulted before the NLC announced the action, while ASUSS warned that the strike could disrupt academic activities and affect students.