ABUJA – The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has taken a defiant stance, vowing to continue the ongoing strike by Federal Capital Territory workers despite a court order for its suspension and a stern ultimatum from FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
In a statement on Monday, January 28, 2026, the NLC Acting Secretary, Benson Upah, described the National Industrial Court’s ruling as “distasteful,” arguing it failed to address the injustices faced by workers. The court had ruled that the workers’ right to strike was not absolute and ordered them back to work pending the determination of the substantive suit filed by Minister Wike.
“The court’s intention to break the strike and weaken workers’ resolve is mistaken,” Upah stated emphatically, adding that “our hearts can never be broken.” The NLC urged workers to remain resolute, with some unions reportedly framing the action as a “stay-at-home” protest to circumvent the court’s directive.
This defiance sets the stage for a direct confrontation with Minister Wike, who had earlier warned that workers failing to resume by Tuesday would face severe sanctions and that anyone blocking gates would be made a “scapegoat.” The workers are striking over five months of unpaid salaries, promotion arrears, and poor working conditions.
Read more on the ultimatum: “We’ll Make You a Scapegoat”: Wike Issues Stern Warning to FCT Workers
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Disclaimer: This report details an ongoing industrial dispute and statements from involved parties. The situation is fluid, and the legal implications of defying a court order are significant.
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