The National Industrial Court in Abuja is set to rule on a suit filed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and the Federal Capital Territory Administration against leaders of the Joint Union Action Committee over the ongoing strike by FCTA workers.
The case arose from an industrial action that started last week after labour unions rejected the response of the FCTA to their demands. Since the strike began, many government offices in Abuja have remained closed, public services have been disrupted, and access to the FCTA Secretariat has been restricted, with security operatives deployed around key offices.
Wike and the FCTA approached the court, asking it to declare the strike unlawful and to order the union leaders and their members to resume work while the main case is being heard. They argued that the shutdown of government activities is affecting governance and the daily lives of residents in the capital.
In response, representatives of the workers opposed the request, insisting that compelling workers to return without resolving issues related to unpaid entitlements and welfare would deepen the crisis. They urged the court to reject the application and encourage dialogue and mediation between both sides, stating that the matter should be settled through discussions rather than court orders.
After listening to arguments from both parties, the presiding judge adjourned the case for a ruling. The decision is expected to influence the direction of the dispute, as the unions maintain that their grievances are still unresolved, while the FCTA says it remains open to talks and had initiated mediation efforts before the strike began.