Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the indefinite strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress as politically motivated.
The strike followed the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued to the FCT Administration over unresolved concerns about teachers’ promotions, including the requirement for vacant positions before promotions can be granted. The labour council directed workers in schools, hospitals, government offices and other establishments to withdraw their services.
Wike, however, maintained that the issues raised by labour had already been addressed and were being implemented. He also claimed that the Trade Union Congress and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools had distanced themselves from the action.
The minister warned that the government would enforce its “no work, no pay” policy against participating workers. He further alleged that the FCT NLC chairman was pursuing a political agenda linked to the African Democratic Congress.
The dispute has therefore extended beyond the immediate questions surrounding teachers’ promotions, with both sides maintaining sharply different positions on the status of the negotiations.
