Wike Orders No-Work-No-Pay Rule as FCT Teachers’ Strike Continues

Wike Orders No-Work-No-Pay Rule as FCT Teachers’ Strike Continues

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has directed the chairmen of the six area councils to enforce a no-work-no-pay policy against teachers and other civil servants participating in the ongoing strike.

Wike announced the directive on Friday after meeting with the area council chairmen, maintaining that the industrial action declared by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) was unnecessary because the union’s outstanding demands were already being addressed.

He accused the labour leadership of using the strike for political purposes and insisted that the government would not yield to pressure over issues he said had been resolved or were undergoing implementation.

The minister also claimed that senior primary school teachers and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had distanced themselves from the industrial action, questioning why the strike should continue despite ongoing efforts to address the workers’ concerns.

According to Wike, discussions on teachers’ promotions were ongoing, while the appointment of directors fell under establishment procedures.

He said the area council chairmen had been instructed to contact affected teachers and other workers and ensure they returned to their duties, warning that those who remained absent would face the no-work-no-pay policy.

Wike further alleged that the FCT NLC leadership was pursuing partisan interests, citing the union chairman’s previous participation in an area council election under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He accused the labour leader of attempting to create instability in the territory ahead of future elections, arguing that the closure of schools could become a political issue during the election period.

The minister maintained that union officials interested in partisan politics should relinquish their leadership positions rather than use organised labour to advance political objectives.

In a separate development, Wike announced plans to remove illegal commercial structures along the Gwagwalada–Asokoro corridor following reports that unauthorised beer parlours and motor parks were operating in the area.

He directed the Department of Development Control to work with security agencies to demolish the illegal structures, warning that unapproved developments could create security challenges within the FCT.