The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to immediately return to work or face legal consequences, following an order by the National Industrial Court directing an end to the ongoing industrial action.

Wike issued the warning on Tuesday while briefing journalists shortly after the court ruling, stressing that the rule of law must be respected. He accused some political actors of hijacking the strike for motives unrelated to the welfare of workers.

“The administration was already engaging in mediation when some politicians hijacked the strike,” Wike said, describing several of the workers’ demands as “frivolous,” unreasonable, or already addressed by the government.

According to him, the FCTA approached the court after concluding that the strike had been politicised, despite ongoing efforts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and address a significant number of the grievances raised.

The minister highlighted measures taken by the administration to improve staff welfare, including prompt salary payments and civil service reforms. He disclosed that over ₦12 billion had just been approved for the payment of January salaries to FCTA workers, describing the move as proof of the government’s commitment to its workforce.

Wike also noted improvements in the FCT’s revenue profile, revealing that the territory had generated more than ₦30 billion in internally generated revenue, a significant increase compared to previous years.

FCTA workers, under the Joint Union Action Committee, had embarked on an indefinite strike on January 19 over unresolved welfare issues, leading to the shutdown of key public services in Abuja.

The National Industrial Court subsequently issued an interlocutory injunction restraining the workers from continuing the strike, following an application by the FCT Minister. Justice E.D. Subilim granted the order on January 21, while the substantive suit compelling workers to resume duties was adjourned to Tuesday, January 27.