The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have thrown their full weight behind striking workers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accusing the minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, of intimidation and warning that the ongoing industrial action will continue until meaningful negotiations are held.
In a joint statement signed by the acting general secretary of the NLC, Comrade Benson Upah, and Comrade Nuhu Toro, secretary-general of the TUC, the labour centres condemned what they described as the shabby treatment of FCT workers by the minister, compounded by what they called a one-sided ruling of the National Industrial Court in Abuja.
The unions said the court ruling was intended to weaken the strike and reduce workers to “perpetual slaves,” adding that they had expected the minister to seize the opportunity to engage organised labour in dialogue. Instead, they alleged, the minister resorted to threats against workers.
According to the statement, the issues that triggered the strike were already grave, but were worsened by what the unions called intimidation, humiliation, insults and harassment of workers. They warned that Nigerian workers could not be reduced to servitude in their own country and reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law, regardless of the status of parties involved in the dispute.
The statement reads, “We find it necessary to issue a joint statement of support in solidarity with the workers of Federal Capital Territory who have been shabbily treated by the minister of FCT, Mr Wike and rubber-stamped by an Abuja National Industrial Court in a one-sided ruling intended to break up the strike and make workers perpetual slaves.
Workers cannot be made slaves in their own country. We stand for the rule of law and its observance to the hilt, no matter the status of the parties to this dispute.”
“Happily,” they added,” Mr Wike obtained an order of interlocutory injunction against the two individual union leaders and not against the striking trade unions. So the strike continues. Defend your rights with courage and dignity and not with fear.
Finally, this strike continues until the Minister of FCT comes off his high horse and negotiates with the workers. It is safer to die on your feet than live on your knees. Solidarity forever.”
The NLC and TUC urged FCT workers to remain resolute and maintain high morale despite what they called relentless threats. They noted that the court’s interlocutory injunction was issued against two individual union leaders, not against the striking unions themselves, and insisted that this meant the strike remained lawful and in force.
The labour centres also used the statement to issue a message to the judiciary, commending judges they described as upright while cautioning against alleged “cash and carry” practices that undermine public trust and social stability.
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