By Sofiat Adenekan-Abdul
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced the immediate enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy across area councils, accusing the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) of politicising its ongoing strike.
Wike announced the decision during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, following a closed-door meeting with area council chairmen and security operatives.
The minister maintained that the FCT Administration had fulfilled its obligations to local government workers and teachers, insisting that the industrial action was unjustified. He also faulted the union for allegedly failing to consult relevant authorities before declaring the strike.
“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,” Wike said.
He further claimed that there were no outstanding issues with workers in the area councils, primary education authorities or secondary schools, adding that agreements with relevant stakeholders were being implemented.
Wike said major education stakeholders, including senior secondary school teachers and the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), had distanced themselves from the strike.
The minister accused FCT NLC Chairman, Stephen Knabayi, of allowing partisan interests to influence the union’s activities. He cited Knabayi’s reported participation as an African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in the last area council elections.
Warning against the politicisation of organised labour, Wike urged union leaders interested in partisan politics to relinquish their leadership positions.
“If you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to, but then excuse yourself from the leadership of the union, so you don’t politicise it,” he said.
Wike Orders Removal of Unauthorised Businesses
In a separate directive, the minister ordered the removal of unauthorised open-air commercial operations, including beer parlours, along the Guzape-Asokoro axis of Abuja.
He said the administration would take action against the businesses to address potential security risks in the area.
Minister Challenges INEC, Media on Political Campaigns
Wike also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the media to take a stronger stance against hate speech and personal attacks during political campaigns.
He criticised remarks attributed to ADC vice-presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi concerning President Bola Tinubu and his supporters, questioning what action INEC had taken in response.
The minister argued that political campaigns should focus on policy proposals, governance and development rather than insults and personal attacks.
He also challenged the media to investigate projects and expenditures undertaken during Amaechi’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.
Among the issues he raised were a reported $10 million fumigation contract, the ₦68 billion monorail project, a $308 million gas turbine transaction and a hospital project.
“Ask him the $10 million USD you paid to a Cuban company to fumigate Rivers State so there will be no mosquito bite,” Wike said, while also questioning the status of the monorail and gas turbine transactions.
The minister warned that continued personal attacks against the president could provoke resistance from his political supporters, particularly in Rivers State.
He urged opposition figures to focus on presenting credible policy alternatives to Nigerians rather than engaging in personal attacks.
