Wike Calls FCT Strike Political, Orders No-Work, No-Pay

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has described the ongoing strike by the FCT chapters of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) as political and baseless.

 

Wike spoke in Abuja on Friday after a meeting with the chairmen of the six area councils, whom he directed to enforce a strict "no-work, no-pay" policy against workers taking part in the action.

 

He said he had also directed the council leadership to clamp down on unapproved absence from duty.

 

"We have directed the chairmen of the area councils to call their teachers and state clearly: if anybody participates in this, we will implement no-work, no-pay.

 

"Enough is enough; we cannot continue with this," the minister warned.

 

Wike rejected the grounds for the strike, insisting that all legitimate demands raised by the teachers, including promotions and operational matters, had been substantially resolved or were being implemented.

 

"We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public: this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it.

 

"There is no basis for anybody to call for a strike. We don't have any issue with the Local Education Authorities or primary schools. Everything we have agreed on, we are implementing," he said.

 

According to the minister, secondary school teachers and other key segments of the unions have distanced themselves from the strike because they recognise that the demands are already being met.

 

Wike also questioned the political neutrality of the local NLC leadership.

 

He alleged that the union's chairperson was a candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the FCT area council elections held in February.

 

"You can see his interest. He is trying to ensure the FCT is in crisis as a political tool, telling voters that pupils are at home. We will not accept that blackmail.

 

"If you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to do so, but excuse yourself from holding union leadership so you don't politicise it," he advised.

 

The NLC had on Wednesday directed workers of the FCT Administration (FCTA), as well as those in the private sector, to begin an indefinite strike over unresolved issues between the FCTA and the NUT.

 

The NUT is demanding that the FCTA withdraw the redeployment of some directors in agencies under the FCT Education Secretariat, reschedule the 2025 promotion examination and remove the vacancy precondition for promotion.