The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned workers under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) against disobeying court orders, warning that such actions could attract serious legal consequences.
Wike gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja while handing over 12 newly acquired ambulances to hospitals across the FCT, amid the ongoing industrial action by FCT workers.
Responding to the actions of JUAC leaders, the minister stressed that the matter surrounding the strike remains before a court of law and must be treated accordingly.
He explained that the filing of a notice of appeal does not automatically translate to a stay of execution, noting that refusing to obey court directives undermines the rule of law.
“It is unfortunate when people say they will not obey court orders. That means we are in a lawless society,” Wike said. “You go and block gates and say you will not obey court orders. It depends on who you are dealing with.”
The minister warned that the government could pursue contempt of court proceedings against individuals or groups obstructing access to public facilities or openly declaring their intention to disregard court rulings.
“We did not take the law into our hands. All we said was, let us go to court to determine who is right and who is wrong. We are still open to dialogue, but nobody should threaten the existence of anybody,” he stated.
Wike maintained that the concerns of FCT workers were being addressed, adding that most of the demands raised by the unions had already been resolved.
According to him, negotiations require compromise, explaining that governments may not be able to meet all demands at once but remain committed to phased solutions.
“If you make five demands and the government agrees to take up three immediately and address the remaining two later, sincerity should allow you to accept that,” he said.
He further warned that attempts to politicise labour issues would be resisted, stating that the administration would not tolerate efforts aimed at destabilising governance under the guise of workers’ agitation.
Wike reassured workers that challenges within the FCT Administration were being tackled progressively, emphasising that dialogue remains the most effective means of resolving disputes.
