The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as politically motivated, insisting that the administration has fulfilled its obligations to local government workers and teachers.
Wike made the statement in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with area council chairmen and security operatives.
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The minister announced the immediate enforcement of the “no work, no pay” policy across the area councils, arguing that the strike was unjustified and that the relevant labour authorities had not been adequately consulted before the action was declared.
He maintained that the FCT Administration had no outstanding issues with the affected workers, including those in local government education authorities and secondary schools.
Wike also claimed that some education-sector bodies, including representatives of senior secondary school teachers and the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), had distanced themselves from the strike, maintaining that existing agreements were being implemented.
The minister questioned the political neutrality of the FCT NLC chairman, Stephen Knabayi, alleging that his political affiliation had influenced the decision to call the strike.
He urged labour leaders who wished to participate in partisan politics to relinquish their union leadership positions to avoid politicising industrial relations.
Wike said the administration would not accept what he described as attempts to use the strike to create a crisis in the FCT, particularly by disrupting teaching and learning in public schools.
On security and urban development, the minister directed the immediate removal of unauthorised commercial establishments, particularly open-air beer parlours operating along the Guzape-Asokoro axis.
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He said the operations were necessary to prevent the emergence of security threats associated with unapproved commercial activities in the area.
The minister also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the media to take stronger action against hate speech, personal attacks and defamatory statements during political campaigns.
Wike expressed displeasure over remarks allegedly made by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, concerning President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
He questioned why, according to him, there had been no visible response from INEC to the remarks, arguing that political campaigns should focus on policies and governance rather than personal attacks.
The minister further challenged the media to investigate projects and expenditures undertaken during Amaechi’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.
He specifically questioned the status of a state monorail project reportedly valued at ₦68 billion, a $308 million gas turbine transaction and a $10 million fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban company.
Wike also raised questions about a hospital project associated with the former Rivers State administration, urging journalists to seek clarification on the status of the projects and the expenditure involved.
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He warned that continued personal attacks against the president could provoke political resistance from his supporters, particularly in Rivers State, and urged politicians to focus on presenting their programmes and policy alternatives to voters.
The minister said political campaigns should provide opportunities for candidates to explain how their proposals differ from those of the government in power.