Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the ongoing teachers’ strike in Abuja as political and baseless. He has also directed the chairmen of the six area councils to enforce a “no-work, no-pay” policy against workers who participate in the industrial action.
Wike announced the position after meeting the area council chairmen in Abuja on Friday. He said the councils should take action against teachers who stayed away from work without authorisation.
“We have directed the chairmen of the area councils to call their teachers and state clearly: if anybody participates in this, we will implement no-work, no-pay,” he said.
Wike rejects reasons for teachers’ strike
Wike said the government had addressed the demands raised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), FCT chapter, including issues relating to promotions and operational matters.
He maintained that the authorities were implementing agreements reached with the union. Therefore, he argued that the strike had no justification.
“We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public: this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it,” Wike said.
He also claimed that secondary school teachers and other sections of the union had distanced themselves from the strike because the government was meeting their demands.
Wike accuses NLC leader of political motives
The minister also questioned the political neutrality of the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He alleged that the union’s chairperson had contested the February FCT area council elections as a candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Wike said the alleged political involvement was linked to attempts to create a crisis in the territory.
“You can see his interest. He is trying to ensure the FCT is in crisis as a political tool, telling voters that pupils are at home. We will not accept that blackmail,” he said.
However, the statement provided no independent evidence to establish the alleged political motive behind the strike. Wike advised union leaders who wanted to participate in politics to leave their leadership positions rather than use labour organisations for political purposes.
The strike has brought the dispute between the FCT administration and organised labour into focus, with the minister insisting that the government has addressed the teachers’ demands.
