The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has mounted a dramatic protest at Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)'s office, over the failure to immediately implement the N70,000 minimum wage for the six area councils' workers in the FCT.

The workers, including health professionals and teachers, marched from the Labour House in the Central Area of Abuja to Wike's office in Area II. The aggrieved workers have decried what they called an intentional neglect of their welfare by the minister and his administration.

Protests in Abuja over the minimum wage

Protesters at the FCT complex were met with a locked entrance, as armed policemen stationed at the gate barred them from accessing the premises.

In response, the labour group blocked movement in and out of the complex, demanding that Minister Wike personally address them.

Tensions rose when Mandate Secretary Lawrence Garki attempted to speak to the crowd but was met with loud jeers and chants of 'thief'. The protesters refused to listen, insisting that they would only speak with Wike.

Leadership reported that the protesters expressed frustration with the government's perceived neglect and demanded the resignation or removal of the six Area Council chairmen. They accused the chairmen of indifference to workers' plights and failure to prioritise their welfare.

The NLC's key demand was the implementation of the N70,000 minimum wage, which they claimed had been agreed upon but not enforced by the FCT Administration for Area Council staff, including teachers and health workers.

Abuja protesters remain resolute on seeing Wike

The protesters remained resolute, with one protester shouting:

"We will not leave here until Wike comes out. We are tired of the lies and delays. Our people are suffering while the government continues to ignore us."

Speaking on the development, the Minister summoned the council chairmen and asked why they had failed to implement the new minimum wage, adding that they were acting without a conscience.

Lere Olayinka, the spokesperson to Wike, quoted him as saying:

“I don’t know why people don’t have a conscience that these are teachers who take care of our children, and you are happy that you are not paying them their salaries.”