*Nyesom Wike.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described the strike declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as politically motivated, insisting that the issues raised by the unions were already being addressed by the administration.
Wike also warned that the FCT Administration would enforce the “no work, no pay” policy against workers participating in the industrial action, arguing that the strike was unjustified.
The minister stated this on Friday in Abuja after a closed-door meeting with Area Council chairmen and security operatives to discuss the strike and other security concerns in the territory.
He maintained that the administration had fulfilled its obligations to local government workers and teachers, insisting that there were no outstanding issues warranting the industrial action.
“We want to state categorically and let it be known to the public that this so-called strike declaration is political, and we will not accept it,” Wike said.
He added that the administration had no unresolved disputes with the Area Council local education authorities or secondary schools that could justify the strike.
The minister also faulted the NLC for allegedly failing to consult relevant stakeholders before declaring the industrial action, describing the move as an attempt to disrupt activities in the FCT for political purposes.
According to him, major education-related unions, including senior secondary school teachers and the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), had distanced themselves from the strike, maintaining that agreements reached with the administration were already being implemented.
Wike subsequently directed the immediate enforcement of the no-work-no-pay policy across the Area Councils, saying the administration would not allow what he described as political blackmail to undermine public services.
Wike alleges political motive
The minister accused the FCT NLC chairman, Stephen Knabayi, of allowing partisan interests to influence the union’s activities.
He alleged that Knabayi, who contested the last Area Council elections on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), was using the strike to create the impression that the FCT Administration had failed to keep schools running.
Wike argued that the disruption of academic activities could be exploited for political advantage by opponents of the administration.
“You can see his interest trying to see that FCT is in crisis, and then wants to use it as a political tool that FCT teachers are at home, and nobody is teaching students,” he said.
“How can you now come and vote for a government when the pupils are at home? We cannot accept that blackmail. We won’t accept it.”
He urged labour leaders who wished to engage in partisan politics to relinquish their union leadership positions to avoid compromising the independence of organised labour.
“I’ve told Labour, look, if you want to involve yourself in politics, you are free to, but then excuse yourself from the leadership of the union, so you don’t politicise it,” he added.
Orders crackdown on illegal beer parlours
In a related development, Wike directed security agencies and relevant authorities to dismantle unauthorised commercial establishments operating along the Guzape-Asokoro axis of Abuja.
He specifically cited unapproved open-air beer parlours, warning that such businesses could develop into security risks if allowed to operate without proper authorisation.
The minister called for immediate action to remove the illegal establishments, stressing the need to address potential security threats before they escalate.
Wike challenges INEC over political attacks
The FCT minister also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take a firmer position against hate speech, personal attacks and inflammatory statements by politicians during election campaigns.
He expressed concern over remarks allegedly made by Rotimi Amaechi, the ADC’s vice-presidential candidate, about President Bola Tinubu and his supporters.
Wike questioned why the electoral commission had not publicly addressed the comments, arguing that political campaigns should focus on policies, programmes and governance rather than personal insults.
“Many Nigerians have called INEC to sanction political parties, and candidates, or some politicians who, in their campaigns, incite the public or raise matters that are not issue-based,” he said.
“We have been told to go on campaigns based on issues. What are you going to do about the people attacking personality or insulting individuals?”
He added that he was yet to hear of any action by INEC to draw Amaechi’s attention to the alleged remarks.
Wike also urged the media to investigate allegations and question opposition politicians about their records in public office, insisting that political accountability should apply to all sides.
Questions Amaechi’s record in Rivers
The minister challenged journalists to investigate several projects and financial transactions allegedly undertaken during Amaechi’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.
Among the issues he raised were a reported $10 million fumigation contract awarded to a Cuban company, the state’s monorail project, the sale of a gas turbine and the status of a hospital project.
Wike questioned the outcomes of the projects and called on Amaechi to provide explanations regarding the expenditure of public funds.
“I challenge him, and I challenge the media. Ask him the $10 million USD you paid to a Cuban company to fumigate Rivers State so there will be no mosquito bite. Up till now, mosquito has been biting Rivers people, including myself,” he said.
“Ask him, the ₦68 billion monorail, where is the monorail? Ask him, where is the $308 million USD with which you sold our gas turbine?”
The minister insisted that journalists should subject such matters to scrutiny and demand answers from public officeholders rather than allow political exchanges to be dominated by allegations and counter-allegations.
The claims and questions raised by Wike were not independently verified in the statement announcing his remarks.
Warns against continued personal attacks
Wike further warned that continued attacks on Tinubu and his supporters could provoke political resistance, particularly in Rivers State, where he said Amaechi could face difficulties campaigning if he persisted with the alleged rhetoric.
He urged opposition politicians to concentrate on presenting alternative policies and explaining how their proposed programmes would differ from those of the current administration.
“If he continues along this line, it may be difficult for him to campaign in Rivers. And I want somebody to go and write it down. Because we will not take that,” the minister said.
He maintained that election campaigns should be centred on issues affecting Nigerians rather than personal attacks on political opponents.