The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reached a late-night agreement with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), effectively ending the industrial action that disrupted activities in parts of Abuja.
The resolution clears the way for workers to return to their duties with immediate effect.
The breakthrough followed a marathon meeting that ended around 3:50 a.m. on Tuesday after more than three hours of discussions. The talks, which began shortly before midnight, were convened by the Senate Committee on the FCT and chaired by its head, Senator Mohammed Bomoi.
Present at the meeting were Minister Wike, NLC President Joe Ajaero, TUC President Festus Osifo, alongside secretaries of both labour unions and other key stakeholders.
Earlier on Monday, organised labour had maintained that it would proceed with a large-scale protest to press demands relating to workers under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
However, the FCT Police Command advised labour leaders to reconsider the action on security grounds, citing intelligence reports of plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, and other groups to infiltrate and hijack the protest. The minister had also secured an interim court injunction restraining the NLC and TUC from embarking on the strike.
Following the meeting, a joint statement signed by the NLC and TUC confirmed that no worker would face sanctions or victimisation as a result of participating in the strike.
Speaking after the talks, labour leader Upah, alongside TUC General Secretary Nuhu Toro and other union officials, disclosed that all pending cases at the National Industrial Court (NIC) would be withdrawn without delay.
According to him, all grievances raised by members of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) were discussed and resolved during the conciliatory meeting. He added that Minister Wike assured organised labour of continued dialogue and mutual respect going forward.
Labour leaders subsequently directed all workers under the Ministry of the FCT to resume work immediately, urging affiliates of both the NLC and TUC to comply fully in the interest of industrial harmony and peace.
