FCT strike suspended as Wike, labour leaders seal early-morning deal

 

Activities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to return to normal after the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and organised labour reached a truce following late-night negotiations that ended in the early hours of Tuesday.

The breakthrough came after a marathon meeting convened by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Mohammed Bomoi, which lasted over three hours, beginning shortly before midnight and concluding around 3:50 a.m.

Sources at the meeting said discussions were initially tense, with heated exchanges between the minister and labour representatives. The situation was later brought under control after Senator Bomoi intervened and urged both sides to adopt a conciliatory approach.

In attendance were the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, senior officials of both labour centres, and other key stakeholders.

The meeting followed days of rising tension over a planned mass protest by workers under the FCT Administration (FCTA), jointly organised by the NLC and TUC. Labour had insisted it would proceed with the action despite police warnings citing security concerns and a court order obtained by the minister restraining the protest.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Acting NLC General Secretary, Benson Upah, said both parties reached wide-ranging resolutions aimed at restoring industrial harmony.

He said all grievances presented by the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) were reviewed and addressed, while the minister assured labour leaders of continued dialogue and mutual respect.

Upah also announced that no worker would be victimised for participating in the strike and that all pending cases related to the dispute at the National Industrial Court would be withdrawn.

He directed affected workers to resume duty immediately.

“Accordingly, all JUAC members and affiliates of the TUC and NLC in the FCT Ministry are to return to work without delay,” he said, urging compliance in the interest of peace and stability.

Labour leaders expressed optimism that the agreements reached would prevent further disruption of public services in the nation’s capital.