FCT: Labour insists on protest despite court order

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have insisted on their protest slated for today in support of the ongoing strike by the Federal Capital Territory’s chapter of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC).

An official of the JUAC told Daily Trust last night that the protest would take place despite the court order barring it.

She said all affiliate members of the NLC and TUC in the FCT had been mobilised for a peaceful protest against unmet workers’ demands.

The official, who asked not to be named, dismissed the claim by the FCT Police Command that the protest might be hijacked.

Earlier yesterday, the National Industrial Court had issued an order of interim injunction barring the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on any form of industrial action or protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Justice Emmanuel Sibilim also restrained Comrades Benson Upah, General NA Toro and Stephen Knabayi listed as respondents in the matter.

The order followed an ex parte application jointly filed by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and the FCT Administration.

The motion marked: NICN/ABJ/30/26, was moved on behalf of the applicants by their team of lawyers led by Mr. James Onoja, SAN.

Specifically, the court restrained the 1st to 5th respondents, their privies or agents, from embarking on strike pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

It further directed the 5th to 9th defendants, who are security agencies, to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in the FCT.

The claimants told the court that the chairman of the FCT Council had sent a message of mobilisation to members and affiliated unions for a mass protest scheduled for February 3.

They insisted that the action amounted to a violation of a subsisting order of the court.

The minister noted that the extant order of the court was made on January 27, following which he said the NLC and TUC issued a statement to all affiliated unions to intensify and sustain the strike, citing an appeal they lodged to challenge the restraining injunction.

The NLC and the TUC had earlier yesterday announced the plan to stage a peaceful solidarity rally today in support of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC) over unpaid arrears.

The unions announced this in a joint statement signed by Mr. Benson Upah, General Secretary of the NLC, and Mr. Nuhu Toro, Secretary General of the TUC, in Abuja.

The NLC and the TUC said the rally was to reaffirm labour’s collective resolve that “an injury to one worker is an injury to all” within the Nigerian labour movement.

The said the rally would demonstrate collective resistance against injustice.

Affiliates and state councils have been directed to mobilise members massively for the rally, with the unions asserting that intimidation and repression will not weaken their resolve. They reiterated that workers’ rights are never given but won through collective struggle, assuring FCT workers that they will not be abandoned.

The FCT Police Command yesterday appealed to the organisers of the protest to consider rescheduling it to a later date and time in the overriding interest of public safety.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, in a statement, said the appeal followed intelligence reports of possible infiltration and hijacking of the peaceful protest by members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) and other non-state actors.

“This measure is aimed at forestalling any breakdown of law and order. It is also to ensure that the rights of other residents to safety, freedom of movement, and the conduct of lawful daily activities are not infringed upon,” she added.

Adeh noted that the appeal was made in recognition of the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.

She pledged the commitment of the command to providing adequate security for all lawful activities, adding that the command would not relent in its efforts to protect lives and property.

She enjoined residents to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in their collective effort to maintain peace and security within the territory.”

The FCT Administration has said its no-work-no-pay policy took effect from February 2 against any worker who fails to resume work after the National Industrial Court had ordered them to return to their offices.

In a circular, the Acting Head of the FCT Civil Service, Nancy Sabanti, said the policy was to be implemented by all the heads of departments and agencies of the FCTA.

She said the policy became imperative due to recent developments orchestrated by the strike embarked upon by all employees following the JUAC’s directive since the January 19, 2026 and the court action instituted by the minister.

She stated: ‘’It is common knowledge that the National Industrial Court had on Tuesday, 26th January, 2026 ordered the suspension of the strike by JUAC and its affiliate unions and workers were expected to return to their offices from the date of that order.

“However, it has come to the knowledge of the Honourable Minister that some persons who do not mean well for the employees and the FCTA, have resorted to exploiting the situation by asking workers not to resume work on the flimsy ground that the restraining order of the National Industrial Court has been appealed against at the Court of Appeal.”

Primary and secondary schools, and primary health centres across the six area councils are still under lock and key as the strike entered its third week yesterday.

Some parents, who spoke to our correspondent, appealed to the FCT minister to dialogue with the striking workers.

Daily Trust reports that many workers at the FCTA Secretariat, FCDA and the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) have reported for duty.

At the offices at the Minister’s Block, the Treasury Department, FCDA and AGIS, worker were seen carry out their official duties.

Some of them, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said they resumed work in obedience to a recent court ruling while discussions between the administration and the unions continue.