The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) trade unions have reaffirmed that their ongoing strike action remains in full effect, dismissing reports that the industrial action had been legally halted.
In a statement made Public on Wednesday, the unions clarified that the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, did not secure a court order restraining the unions themselves from striking. “Minister Wike did not sue the striking trade unions at the National Industrial Court,” the unions explained. “He only filed a suit against two union leaders in their personal capacity. Today, he obtained an interlocutory injunction against the two individuals—not against the unions collectively. Therefore, our strike continues.”
The clarification comes amid widespread claims that the court had stopped the industrial action by workers in the FCT—a narrative the unions insist is misleading.
Documents obtained by SaharaReporters confirm that the suit, filed at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, lists Hon. Minister, Federal Capital Territory and the Federal Capital Territory Administration as Claimants, with Rifkatu Iortyer and Abdullahi Umar Saleh as Defendants.
The court, presided over by Justice E. D. Subilim, granted an interlocutory injunction restraining the two named defendants and others described in the order from engaging in industrial action, picketing, lock-outs, or other disruptions against the claimants.
The order specifically mentions that prohibited actions include obstructing roads, crippling operations, or frustrating the businesses and activities of the FCTA.
However, the FCT trade unions insist that the order does not legally extend to the unions as entities or the wider workforce.
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They argue that the two defendants were sued in their personal capacities, meaning no binding injunction exists against the collective workforce.
“The fundamental fact remains that the strike is ongoing and legally valid,” the unions stated. “Workers should not be intimidated or misled into suspending industrial action due to a misinterpretation of the court process.”
The unions further affirmed that the strike will continue until their demands are met, and any attempts to portray the court order as a blanket ban on FCT workers are inaccurate.
The case has been adjourned for Motion on Notice on March 25, 2026.