The Nigeria Labour Congress has accused the Federal Capital Territory Administration management and political leadership of wage abuse, intimidation of workers, and failure to meet statutory obligations.
Declaring its full support for the ongoing indefinite strike by FCTA workers, the NLC described the action as justified and necessary in the face of what it termed sustained violations of workers’ rights.
Workers of the FCTA and the Federal Capital Development Authority commenced an indefinite strike on Monday after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum, grounding activities across major government offices in Abuja.
The industrial action shut down operations at the FCTA Secretariat, prompting the deployment of operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Police Force to restrict access to the complex.
Despite claims by the FCTA management that most of the workers’ demands had been met, the Joint Union Action Congress rejected the assertion and insisted that the issues at stake remained unresolved.
In a statement issued after consultations with the leadership of the JUAC on Friday, the labour body said the strike followed a petition by JUAC, which detailed alleged deliberate actions against workers in the nation’s capital.
The statement was signed by the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero.
“Their ongoing total and indefinite strike action is not merely justified; it is a necessary and heroic response to a vicious cocktail of neoliberal attacks, gross administrative impunity, and a systematic violation of the fundamental rights of workers by the FCTA management and its political leadership,” the statement noted.
According to the union, the consultation revealed “a calculated assault on the working class,” prompting what it described as an unavoidable escalation of industrial action.
The congress alleged that five months’ wage awards and promotion arrears had been illegally withheld, an action it said directly affected workers’ livelihoods.
It also accused the FCTA of failing to remit pension contributions and National Housing Fund deductions since May 2025, warning that the situation endangered the welfare of both serving and retired workers.
The NLC further condemned reported acts of intimidation, including restrictions on phone usage and the incarceration of workers, describing such actions as violations of constitutional rights and international labour conventions.
As part of its directives, the NLC ordered all affiliate unions within the Federal Capital Territory to align with and intensify the ongoing strike.
It also directed workers to mobilise to the National Industrial Court on Monday, January 26, 2026, when matters relating to the dispute are scheduled to be heard.
“The Nigeria Labour Congress therefore declares and directs: a total escalation of the industrial action. All affiliate unions within the Federal Capital Territory are hereby directed to fully align with and intensify the ongoing industrial action. This struggle is now the struggle of every worker in the FCT.
“All workers are to mobilise to the court on Monday, January 26, 2026. In pursuit of justice and to demonstrate our collective resolve, all workers in the Federal Capital Territory are directed to converge en masse at the National Industrial Court on Monday, January 26, 2026, where matters relating to this struggle will be heard.
“Let the court premises be filled with the dignified presence of the working class, sending an unmistakable message of our unity and determination,” the statement added.
In addition, the congress announced compulsory daily prayer and solidarity sessions for workers across the FCT from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, as well as the formation of alliances with civil society organisations, student groups, community activists, and other stakeholders.
Warning that workers’ patience had been exhausted, the NLC said failure to resolve the issues would lead to further escalation of the struggle.
“The NLC warns the FCTA management and the political leadership that the patience of the working class is exhausted. Their ultimatum was and is our ultimatum. Their demands are our demands.
“Unless these issues are quickly resolved, we will strengthen this struggle to ensure that abuse of workers’ rights is mitigated and their dignity restored,” he added.
Addressing FCTA workers, the Congress declared, “Your struggle is our struggle. Your victory will be a victory for every exploited worker in Nigeria. Stand firm! No retreat, no surrender! A people united can never be defeated! Workers united can never be defeated!”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had dragged the striking workers to court.
The lawsuit, sighted by PUNCH Online on Thursday, was filed at the Abuja Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria. It bears suit number NICN/ABJ/17/2026 and is being presided over by Justice E. D. Subilim.
The claimants are the FCT Minister and the FCTA, while the defendants are the President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, and the Secretary General, Abdullahi Saleh, sued in their representative capacities.
Court documents sighted by PUNCH Online indicated that the minister and the FCTA are seeking an order restraining the unions and their agents from engaging in picketing, obstruction, lockouts, or any action directed at the claimants, departmental heads, and political appointees.
The unions were accused of blocking roads, shutting offices, and disrupting the smooth running of the FCT administration.
At the hearing of the application, counsel to the claimants were present in court, while the defendants were absent. The minister and the FCTA were represented by a team of senior lawyers, including Ogwu Onoja, SAN; M. A. Ebute, SAN; George Ibrahim, SAN; K. O. Mustapha, Esq.; and Esther Audu, Esq.
After reviewing the affidavits and written submissions, Justice Subilim held that the applicants had established sufficient grounds for the reliefs sought and granted leave for substituted service of court processes on the defendants.
In a ruling delivered on January 21, the court granted leave for substituted service of court processes on the defendants.
The judge ordered that service be effected through publication in Leadership newspaper or any other national daily, as well as by pasting the processes at the JUAC office located at the FCTA Secretariat, No. 1 Kapital Street, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. The court ruled that this mode of service would be deemed valid and proper.
The case was adjourned to January 26 for a Motion on Notice.
