FCT Strike Suspended As Wike

FCT Strike Suspended As Wike, Labour Reach Agreement; Workers Ordered Back To Work
Federal Capital Territory workers suspend industrial action after late‑night talks chaired by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike with leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), restoring operations across Abuja.

1. Strike Called Off After Overnight Negotiations
   The prolonged industrial action by workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was officially suspended following intensive negotiations between the FCT Administration and organised labour leaders. The talks, held at Wike’s invitation and facilitated by the Senate Committee on the FCT, began late Monday and concluded in the early hours of Tuesday.
2. Return To Work Directive
   Organised labour, speaking via a circular signed by the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, and the TUC Secretary‑General, Dr. N.A. Toro, instructed all Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) members and affiliates to resume duties immediately in the interest of industrial peace and harmony.
3. Terms of the Agreement
   Key terms reached include:
   No victimisation of workers who participated in the strike.
   Withdrawal of all pending National Industrial Court (NIC) cases related to the dispute.
   Commitment by the FCT Minister to ongoing engagement and mutual respect with organised labour.
4. Strike Impact & Significance
   The strike had disrupted public operations and services in the nation’s capital for several days, affecting government offices, schools, and agencies. The resolution is expected to restore public service functions and industrial harmony within the FCT.
   Before the suspension deal, the strike and labour tensions escalated significantly:
   The National Industrial Court in Abuja had earlier ordered workers to suspend the strike pending legal proceedings and barred further protests moves that were initially resisted by some unions.
   At one point, the NLC issued a directive for affiliates to sustain the strike despite the court order, deepening the standoff with authorities. The FCT Administration, through Minister Wike, maintained it was open to dialogue but insisted the rule of law must prevail, warning consequences for non‑compliance.
   Public sector workers under JUAC and NLC/TUC affiliar
   The agreement aims to prevent further disruption and promote structured negotiations on workers’ grievances.
   Pending National Industrial Court cases tied to the dispute will be dropped as part of the resolution.