ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed two directors of the FCT Administration (FCTA) for alleged insubordination and the “instigation” of workers during an ongoing industrial crisis.
The dismissals come as the nation’s capital remains gripped by a week-long strike led by the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) over promotion arrears and welfare issues. The Minister accused the unnamed directors of actively encouraging staff to defy a National Industrial Court order to resume work.
Cracking Down on ‘Sabotage’
In a heated briefing, Wike characterized the actions of the senior officials as political sabotage, suggesting they were working with external interests to frustrate his administration. He maintained that government officials cannot lead a rebellion while remaining on the public payroll.
“If you don’t want to work, leave the system. You cannot remain in the system and be a saboteur,” Wike stated, emphasizing that his administration would no longer tolerate “business as usual” within the civil service.
Legal and Financial Tug-of-War
The Minister has adopted a dual approach of financial incentives and legal threats to end the stalemate. He recently announced the approval of ₦12.5 billion for January salaries and arrears to demonstrate his commitment to worker welfare.
However, following the refusal of many workers to return to their desks despite the court order issued on January 27, Wike has moved to file contempt charges against union leaders. The “Form 48” filing could lead to the imprisonment of those found to be in disobedience of the court’s “Back to Work” directive.
Divided Reactions
The purge of the top-tier directors has sparked a sharp divide in Abuja. While some residents and observers have lauded the Minister for his firm stance against systemic inefficiency, critics argue that the sackings are high-handed and fail to address the underlying grievances of the workforce.
As the FCTA undergoes this disciplinary stress test, the primary concern remains whether these measures will restore order to the capital’s administrative hub or further escalate tensions between the government and its employees.
