By Emmanuel Kwada
The streets of Abuja erupted in tension today as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) brought operations at the office of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to a grinding halt. The fiery protest, fueled by demands for the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage for Area Council workers, teachers, and health workers, saw scores of placard-waving workers take their grievances straight to the Minister’s doorstep.
The demonstration kicked off at Labour House in the Central Area, where a determined crowd of workers rallied before marching to Wike’s office in Area 11. Chanting anti-government songs and brandishing signs, the protesters made their message clear: they would no longer tolerate delays in enforcing the new wage standard. But the peaceful march took a dramatic turn when armed policemen stationed at the Minister’s office locked the main gate, barring the protesters from entering the premises.
Undeterred, the NLC and its supporters dug in their heels, vowing to block staff and officials from moving in or out until their demands were met. “We’re not leaving until Wike faces us!” one protester shouted, as the crowd’s resolve hardened in the face of the locked gates and police presence.
We’re not leaving until Wike faces us!
The standoff intensified when Mandate Secretary Lawrence Garki, a senior management staff member, stepped forward to address the agitated workers. His attempt at dialogue was swiftly drowned out by chants of “thief, thief,” as the protesters rejected his overtures and doubled down on their call for the Minister himself to emerge. The scene remains charged, with the locked gate symbolizing the growing divide between the workers and the authorities.
Beyond the wage dispute, the NLC is also demanding the resignation or outright removal of the six Area Council Chairmen, whom they accuse of turning a blind eye to the plight of council employees. “These chairmen have shown no concern for our struggles,” an NLC spokesperson declared, amplifying the protesters’ frustration with local leadership.
thief, thief,” as the protesters rejected his overtures and doubled down on their call for the Minister himself to emerge
As the standoff persists, the locked gates of Wike’s office have become a battleground for a broader fight over workers’ rights in the FCT.
With tensions simmering and the NLC showing no signs of backing down, all eyes are on the Minister to see how—or if—he will respond to the mounting pressure. For now, the workers remain steadfast, their voices echoing through Area 11 as they demand justice, fair pay, and accountability.
