There was a palpable tension as protesting members of the Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) attempted to intercept the convoy of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Secretariat in Abuja.
The incident occurred on Monday, January 26, 2026, as the minister was leaving the FCTA Secretariat through a rear exit amid the ongoing industrial action by FCTA workers.Eyewitnesses said protesting workers chanting ‘ole, ole, ole’ moved towards the minister’s convoy in an apparent attempt to stop it, forcing security operatives to swiftly intervene and clear the route.
The protest is part of a broader strike action by FCTA workers and allied unions over unresolved grievances with the FCT administration.
The protest followed a directive from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), which declared full support for the industrial action.The NLC said the strike was justified due to “persistent violations” of workers’ rights by the FCTA management and political leadership.The protesters carried placards with the inscriptions “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough” and “No working tools”.
The FCTA workers began an indefinite strike last week over “authorities’ failure to address long-standing labour and welfare demands”.
The strike has led to the shutdown of activities across major government offices in Abuja.
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