There was tension in Abuja on Monday, January 26, as a group of aggrieved workers confronted the convoy of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during a protest over unresolved welfare and salary issues.
Witnesses said the protesters chanted slogans and moved toward the vehicles in the convoy while demanding attention to their grievances. Videos circulating on social media showed agitated workers pursuing a vehicle reportedly conveying the minister.
Earlier in the day, the striking workers, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja as part of their ongoing indefinite strike. The protesters demanded the payment of outstanding entitlements and called for the removal of the FCT minister.
The workers displayed placards with inscriptions such as “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough” and “No working tools,” as they gathered at the entrance of the court.
The strike, according to the workers, was prompted by unresolved welfare concerns, including the alleged non-payment of salaries for up to five months, long-standing promotion arrears and poor working conditions.
It was also gathered that Minister Wike had approached the National Industrial Court, seeking an order restraining the striking unions from continuing with the industrial action.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the FCT Administration nor the affected unions had issued an official statement on the oconfrontation involving the minister’s convoy.
