By Muhammad Mamman
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have taken their dispute with the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to court, seeking an order for his removal over alleged violations of workers’ rights.
In a suit filed at the National Industrial Court in Abuja, the claimants accused the minister of actions they say undermine labour laws, due process and constitutional protections for public servants within the FCT. The plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the minister’s continued stay in office unlawful and to compel the relevant authorities to remove him.
According to court documents, the NLC and affected workers alleged intimidation, victimisation and unilateral administrative decisions that they claim have negatively impacted staff welfare and job security. They argued that such actions contravene established labour regulations and international conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The labour union further contended that repeated efforts to resolve the issues through dialogue had failed, leaving legal action as the only option. It urged the court to intervene to protect workers from what it described as arbitrary use of executive power.
While the case is yet to be heard, the development has heightened tensions between organised labour and the FCTA leadership, with analysts warning that the dispute could disrupt administrative activities in the nation’s capital if it escalates.
As of the time of filing this report, the FCT Minister had not publicly responded to the suit. The court is expected to fix a date for hearing in the coming days.
