By: Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that he approved and signed the payment of January salaries totaling over ₦12 billion for FCT Administration workers immediately after a court ruling suspended the ongoing strike.
Wike made the disclosure while addressing journalists in his office, insisting that the government had substantially met workers’ legitimate demands despite the industrial action. He alleged that the strike had been hijacked by political interests, prompting the administration to seek judicial intervention to avert a breakdown of law and order.
“I just signed January salaries amounting to over ₦12 billion,” the minister said, noting that the FCT receives only one per cent of federal revenue—an allocation he said is barely sufficient to cover salaries, let alone administrative costs.
The minister maintained that dialogue was initially pursued but resorting to the courts became necessary when political interference escalated the situation. While acknowledging workers’ rights in a democracy, Wike stressed that strike action should be a last resort and urged patience where government had already addressed most demands.
He also dismissed claims that he was chased out of office during the strike, describing such reports as false and politically motivated. Wike further highlighted improvements in the FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue and ongoing civil service reforms under the Tinubu administration.
Following the court order, the minister warned that any worker who fails to resume duty or attempts to obstruct government operations would face disciplinary action and the full weight of the law, insisting that the administration would not bow to blackmail or political pressure.
