The ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the Federal Capital Territory has exposed divisions within the labour movement, as some unions support the industrial action while others have directed their members to resume work.
The dispute intensified on Friday after FCT Minister Nyesom Wike directed the chairmen of the six area councils to enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against striking teachers and local government employees who fail to report for duty.
Wike described the strike as politically motivated, insisting that the issues raised by organised labour had been addressed and that agreed measures were being implemented.
The NLC’s FCT Council declared an indefinite strike on Wednesday over unresolved disputes between the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT). The directive covered workers in the FCTA, including those in the private sector. However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) distanced itself from the action, while the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) declared its support.
In a notice issued on Friday, TUC FCT Council Secretary Sunday Joseph said the strike was declared without consultation with the congress or its affiliates.“The directive was issued without any consultation with the TUC, FCT Council or any of its affiliates. We didn’t take part in the meeting that produced it,” the union stated.The TUC consequently directed its members to report to work, arguing that disputes affecting workers’ welfare and children’s education required a more coordinated approach.
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools also rejected the strike. Its FCT chairman, Julius Ogundiran, directed secondary school teachers and education officers to continue their normal duties. In contrast, NULGE instructed its members across the six area councils to join the industrial action.
In a solidarity notice signed by its FCT Council Secretary, Ayendi Agede, the union directed local government employees, including non-teaching staff of the Local Education Authority, to remain at home until further notice. NULGE called on its members to maintain calm, unity and discipline while defending workers’ rights.
Wike Insists Strike Has No Justification
Speaking after an administrative meeting in Abuja on Friday, Wike maintained that the FCTA had no outstanding dispute with the area councils, local education authorities or primary schools.
“We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public that this so-called strike declaration is political and we will not accept it,” the minister said.
He added that representatives of senior primary school teachers had also rejected the industrial action, describing it as unnecessary.
Wike said discussions on promotion-related matters were ongoing, while issues concerning directors were being handled through established administrative procedures. He directed the area council chairmen to ensure that teachers and other civil servants returned to their duty posts, warning that salaries would be withheld for periods when workers participated in the strike.
The conflicting directives from labour unions and the FCT Administration have left workers facing uncertainty over whether to join the strike or return to their posts.
