The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), on Thursday, staged a dramatic protest at the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanding the immediate implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for workers of the six Area Councils in the Territory.
Hundreds of placard-carrying workers, including teachers and health professionals, marched from Labour House in Abuja’s Central Area to the Minister’s office in Area 11. Chanting solidarity and anti-government songs, the demonstrators decried what they described as deliberate neglect of their welfare by the FCT Administration.
The protest intensified when armed policemen stationed at the main gate locked the entrance, barring the protesters from accessing the premises. In response, the labour group blocked movement in and out of the complex, insisting that Minister Wike must personally address them.
Tensions briefly rose when a Mandate Secretary, Lawrence Garki, emerged in an attempt to speak to the crowd. He was met with loud jeers and chants of “thief, thief!” as protesters refused to listen, demanding to see no one but the FCT Minister.
“We will not leave here until Wike comes out,” one protester shouted. “We are tired of the lies and delay. Our people are suffering while the government continues to ignore us.”
The protesters also called for the resignation or immediate removal of the six Area Council chairmen, accusing them of indifference to workers’ plights and failure to prioritise their welfare.
The NLC’s key demand was the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, which they said had been agreed upon but not enforced by the FCT Administration for the Area Council staff, including teachers and health workers.
As of the time of filing this report, the protest continued, with no official response yet from Minister Wike or the FCT Administration.
