FCT Minister Wike Accused Of Mobilising Paid Protesters As Abuja Workers’ Strike Continues

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been accused of hiring protesters to stage a public show of support for his administration amid the ongoing strike by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of unions in Abuja.

SaharaReporters gathered that a group of pro-Wike supporters were mobilised and assembled at the front of Monoliza along Umaru Diko Way, off Ahmadu Bello Way, in the FCT on Wednesday.

The gathering came as workers under the Joint Action Committee continued their industrial action, protesting unresolved welfare and labour-related grievances.

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Sources familiar with the development told SaharaReporters that the protest was not organic but allegedly coordinated to counter growing public sympathy for the striking workers. 

According to the sources, some of the individuals at the scene were brought in from different parts of the city and conveyed in multiple vehicles.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows several individuals clustered at the protest ground, holding placards in support of Wike and the FCT administration.

 In the footage, different vehicles can be seen dropping off protesters, while some participants appear unsure of the messages written on the placards they carried.

The Joint Action Committee has accused the FCT authorities of failing to honour agreements and neglecting workers’ welfare, leading to the ongoing strike that has disrupted activities across several government offices and services in Abuja.

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) declared that the ongoing strike action by workers would continue indefinitely, insisting that the leadership of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, must address the substantive issues raised by workers rather than resorting to what it described as blackmail, arm-twisting, and intimidation.

In a statement signed by the JUAC Publicity Secretary and circulated to workers on Thursday, the union said it had formally appealed the recent judgement of the National Industrial Court, stressing that the appeal legally sustains the industrial action until all legitimate demands are fully met.

“Strike action continues,” the union declared, urging members to remain resolute and united in the face of pressure from authorities.

According to the statement, JUAC leadership accused the FCT Minister and his “cahoots” of attempting to cow workers into submission instead of engaging constructively with the union to resolve the lingering grievances that led to the strike.

“We sincerely appreciate you for complying with the directive to stay at home to demand for our rights,” the statement read.

“Note that the union has appealed the judgement of the Industrial Court. By this, the strike action continues until our legitimate demands are fully met.”

The union leadership expressed gratitude to FCTA and FCDA staff for their discipline and solidarity in complying with the stay-at-home directive, despite mounting pressure and alleged threats from management and government officials.

JUAC said it would not relent in what it termed a just struggle, warning that intimidation tactics would not weaken workers’ resolve.

“We will not relent in the struggle. Let the Minister and his cahoots be honorable enough to address the issues raised by the workers rather than resorting to blackmail and arm-twist of the union to cow the staff into submission. Enough is enough,” the statement added.

The union further alleged that there were ongoing attempts to harass union leaders and workers in a bid to force an end to the strike, but insisted that such actions would fail.

“JUAC will not succumb to any form of intimidation or harassment by any means,” the statement declared.

Reaffirming its directive, the union appealed to all FCTA and FCDA staff to continue to stay away from work until further notice, pending clear instructions from JUAC leadership.

“We appeal for your cooperation. Do well to continue to stay at home until further directive from JUAC,” the statement said.

JUAC, however, maintained that responsibility for the impasse rests squarely on the authorities, insisting that the crisis could be resolved if the government engages sincerely and addresses workers’ demands rather than pursuing what it called coercive measures.

“Àluta continua. The time to act is now,” the statement added.