In a sharply worded response to last week’s interlocutory ruling by the National Industrial Court in Abuja, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a solidarity communique affirming its support for the striking workforce of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), even as the court directed a suspension of the industrial action.
The industrial court, presided over by Justice Emmanuel Subilim, on Tuesday ordered FCTA workers to halt their ongoing strike and return to duty, pending the hearing and determination of an originating summons filed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Justice Subilim held that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court under Section 18(1)E of the Trade Dispute Act, any related industrial action must be immediately suspended to allow for judicial adjudication.
Reacting to the court’s pronouncement, the NLC’s Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, described the ruling as both “surprising” and “distasteful,” asserting that the decision failed to engage critically with the substantive grievances raised by FCTA workers, including alleged violations of the Pension Fund Act and National Housing Fund Act.
In its statement, the congress exhorted workers not to let their resolve be diluted by the judicial directive and urged all organs of the union to remain “on high alert” in defence of labour rights and statutory obligations of the FCTA employer.
Following the court order, the FCT Minister warned that any staff member who declines to resume duty from Wednesday, January 28, would face appropriate disciplinary action — an admonition that has heightened tensions between the administration and organised labour.
The labour centre’s message underscores the widening chasm between statutory judicial processes and union calls for equitable redress of workers’ rights, setting the stage for a prolonged legal and industrial confrontation as the matter returns to court later in March 2026.
