FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has described the ongoing FCT strike organized by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) as a politically driven attempt at extortion aimed at destabilizing the territory’s administration.
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike alleged that the industrial action—which has shut down public schools and disrupted learning across the territory—is fueled by opposition political interests rather than genuine labor grievances.
The minister specifically targeted the national leadership of the NLC, accusing its head of harboring partisan motives linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) through established political associations within the Federal Capital Territory.
“It was political and so we must stop this blackmail. An ADC person who ran for election in the past area council election is the chairman of the NLC in FCT.
“What do you think he would do? To make sure that the government cripples, to use as a campaign that teachers are on strike,” he said.
Responding to claims that the FCT Administration owed teachers promotion arrears and unpaid benefits, Wike maintained that his administration had fulfilled its financial commitments while making substantial investments in public school infrastructure.
Expressing concern over primary and secondary school students forced to stay home due to the shutdown, Wike assured residents that the standoff would be resolved shortly.
He further revealed that legal counsel for the FCT Administration was finalizing documentation to file a lawsuit against the labor union leadership.
Backstory…
Recall that on October 7, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) shut the door on further talks and declared an indefinite strike in Abuja, all because of a long-running quarrel over how teachers are promoted.
The FCT NLC indefinite strike took effect from Wednesday, October 7, 2026, after a seven-day ultimatum handed to the FCT Administration (FCTA) ran out.
Following this, the organized labor movement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) experienced a sharp division over conflicting directives from union leaders regarding an the FCT strike
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