The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday took its grievances directly to the doorstep of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, as it shut down operations at his office in protest over the failure to implement the N70,000 minimum wage for Area Council workers, teachers, and health personnel.
Protesters, in their numbers and wielding placards, marched from the Labour House in Abuja’s Central Area to the Minister’s office at Area 11, defiantly chanting anti-government songs to amplify their demands.
Tensions flared when armed policemen stationed at the main entrance locked the gate, effectively barricading the demonstrators from gaining access.
Undeterred, the workers insisted they would not retreat until the Minister personally addressed them.
Despite the blockade, the labour group stood its ground.
“We are not leaving here until Wike addresses us,” one of the protest leaders declared, as chants of “thief, thief” echoed through the air when Mandate Secretary, Lawrence Garki, stepped forward in an attempt to speak to the angry crowd.
He was swiftly rebuffed by the protesters, who made clear that only the Minister’s presence would suffice.
Adding another layer to their demands, the NLC is also calling for the removal or resignation of the six Area Council Chairmen, accusing them of apathy toward the workers’ plight.
As at the time of filing this report, the standoff continues, with demonstrators refusing to back down from the main gate, determined to make their voices heard.
