Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as politically motivated, insisting that the grievances raised by the workers were already being addressed by the administration.
Wike also announced that the FCT Administration would enforce the no work, no pay policy across the Area Councils in response to the industrial action.
The minister spoke in Abuja on Friday, October 9, 2026, after a closed-door meeting with Area Council chairmen and security operatives.
He maintained that the administration had met its obligations to local government workers and teachers, arguing that there was no justification for the strike.
Wike further faulted the process leading to the declaration of the industrial action, alleging that relevant authorities responsible for overseeing labour matters had not been consulted before the decision was taken.
“We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public that this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it. We will not accept it because there’s no basis for anybody to call for a strike. We don’t have any issue with anybody, either be it area council local education primary authority, or be it secondary schools, we have no issues,” the minister said.
He also claimed that major education stakeholders, including senior secondary school teachers and the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), had distanced themselves from the strike, maintaining that existing agreements were already being implemented.
The minister subsequently accused the FCT NLC chairman, Stephen Knabayi, of allowing political interests to influence the union’s activities.
Wike alleged that Knabayi, who contested the last Area Council elections on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was using the strike to portray the FCT Administration negatively.
The minister suggested that the industrial action could be exploited to create public dissatisfaction with the government ahead of future elections.
“And you can see his interest trying to see that FCT is in crisis, and then wants to use it as a political tool that FCT teachers are at home, and nobody is teaching students; how can you now come and vote for a government when the pupils are at home? We cannot accept that blackmail. We won’t accept it,” he said.
Wike added that labour leaders interested in partisan politics should relinquish their union leadership positions to prevent political considerations from influencing their responsibilities.
“I’ve told everybody, and I’ve told Labour, look, if you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to, but then excuse yourself from the leadership of the union, so you don’t politicize it,” he said.
The minister also directed security agencies and relevant authorities to dismantle unauthorised commercial establishments, particularly open-air beer parlours operating along the Guzape-Asokoro axis of Abuja.
He said such businesses must be removed before they develop into security threats, although the statement did not provide further details about the enforcement arrangements.
Wike also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take action against politicians who engage in inflammatory rhetoric and personal attacks rather than issue-based campaigns.
He expressed displeasure over comments attributed to ADC chieftain Rotimi Amaechi concerning President Bola Tinubu and his supporters, questioning why the electoral commission had not publicly addressed the remarks.
The minister argued that political parties and candidates should be held accountable when their statements allegedly promote hostility or depart from the issues affecting Nigerians.
“Many Nigerians have called INEC to sanction political parties, and candidates, or some politicians who, in their campaigns, incite the public or raise matters that are not issue-based. We have been told to go on campaigns based on issues. What are you going to do about the people attacking personality or insulting individuals? Up till now, I have not heard that INEC has been able to call or draw attention of the Vice Presidential candidate of the ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, to this,” Wike said.
He also urged journalists to investigate allegations surrounding projects and expenditures undertaken during Amaechi’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.
Among the issues he raised were a reported $10 million fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban company, the state’s monorail project reportedly valued at ₦68 billion, and the sale of a gas turbine for $308 million.
Wike questioned the outcomes of the projects and called on the media to seek explanations from the former Rivers governor.
“I challenge him, and I challenge the media. Ask him the $10 million USD you paid to a Cuban company to fumigate Rivers State so there will be no mosquito bite. Up till now, mosquito has been biting Rivers people, including myself. Ask him, the ₦68 billion monorail, where is the monorail? Ask him, where is the $308 million USD with which you sold our gas turbine?” he said.
The minister’s remarks were allegations and questions directed at Amaechi; the statement did not include a response from the former governor on the issues raised.
Wike further warned that continued personal attacks against Tinubu and his supporters could provoke a strong political response, particularly in Rivers State.
He urged opposition politicians to concentrate on presenting their programmes and explaining how their proposed policies would differ from those of the current administration.
The minister said political campaigns should focus on governance, development and policy alternatives rather than insults directed at political opponents.
“If he continues along this line, it may be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. And I want somebody to go and write it down. Because we will not take that. We will not,” he said.
He added that opposition figures should explain to voters what they intended to do differently instead of relying on personal attacks against the president and his supporters.
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