Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has warned that any worker of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) who fails to return to work following a court order will face sanctions.
Wike issued the warning on Tuesday while addressing journalists shortly after the National Industrial Court ordered striking FCTA workers to suspend their industrial action.
The minister said disobedience to a valid court order would not be tolerated, adding that enforcement measures would begin on Wednesday.
“Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must we allow people break the law flagrantly? I have given them a window but from tomorrow, if they don’t come to work, we will apply the big stick,” he said.
“From tomorrow (Wednesday), if we see anybody who wants to block the gate, they will be made a scapegoat. The law must take its place.”
Wike said the FCTA had demonstrated readiness to engage the workers through dialogue, noting that meetings had already been held between labour representatives and management.
“We have been disposed to dialogue. They have met with management, so what are the issues? If genuinely they want dialogue, then we’ll talk,” he said.
“But if it’s on blackmail and intimidation, then we will not agree. If they like, they can hire all the civil servants in Abuja, it’s not my business.”
FCTA workers began an indefinite strike last week, citing the authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands. The action led to the shutdown of activities across major government offices in Abuja.
Following the strike, Wike sued the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) at the National Industrial Court in Abuja.
On Tuesday, the court ordered the workers to suspend the strike. Delivering the ruling, Emmanuel Subilim, the presiding judge, held that although the dispute qualified as a trade dispute, the workers’ right to embark on industrial action was not absolute.
He ruled that once a matter has been referred to the National Industrial Court, any ongoing strike must cease pending the determination of the case.