*NASS Intervention Fails
*National Industrial Court Issues Fresh Restraining Orders
*Police Urge Rescheduling Of Tomorrow’s Protest
By Felix Durumbah, Abuja
Leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the National Assembly to summon Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, to negotiate face-to-face with leaders of striking workers of the FCT Administration (FCTA), if the issues of poor welfare at stake in the industrial crisis are to be finally laid to rest.
People&Politics gathered that the NLC leadership pointedly told a National Assembly team led by FCT Senate Committee Chair, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, which intervened in the matter, that only Wike’s direct negotiation with the workers can resolve the crisis and their demands for better welfare conditions.
Sen. Bomai’s team had, today, met with the NLC and leaders of FCTA’s Joint Unions Action Committee (JUAC) as the National Assembly moved to stave off tomorrow’s planned protest by JUAC, FCT Council of NLC and all affiliate unions.
But, the meeting failed as NLC national body rejected Sen. Bomai’s plea for the workers to first suspend their ongoing indefinite strike for three days.
A circular by JUAC secretary, Abdullahi Umar Saleh, which dwelt on details of the meeting, sighted by People&Politics stated: “After much deliberations Senator Bomai pleaded for 3 days suspension of the ongoing strike to pave way for negotiations.
“However, the leadership of the NLC ably represented by the Ag. President of the NLC declined his request and requested that Minister be summoned for successful negotiations with Union before the National Assembly.
“Lastly, comrades, despite the threat and circular of No work, No pay, the Union remained focused and steadfast as our scheduled protest for tomorrow still hold ground. We are kindly advised to ensure widest mobilisation of over 10,000 workers for the success of the protest.
“Pls let us be on ground as early as possible.”
The developments came as the National Industrial Court (NIC) again reportedly issued an interim injunction restraining JUAC from going ahead with tomorrow’s protest.
FCT Police Command Sues For Rescheduling Of Protest Over Shiite Hijack Fears
However, as NLC gears up for the protest involving thousands of workers, the FCT Command of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has urged a rescheduling of the mass action.
A statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Superintendent (SP) Josephine Adeh, today, expressed worry that the protest could be hijacked by members of a proscribed Islamic fundamentalist group and non-state actors, for consequences that, it pointed out, may disturb public peace and safety.
The statement ran thus: “The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command is aware of a planned peaceful protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) FCT Council, scheduled to hold tomorrow, Tuesday, 3rd February 2026, within the Federal Capital Territory.
“While the Command recognizes and respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, and remains committed to providing adequate security for all lawful activities, intelligence reports at the disposal of the Police indicate plans by the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria and other non-state actors to infiltrate and hijack the protest for purposes inimical to public peace and security.
“In view of the above, and in the overriding interest of public safety, the FCT Police Command respectfully appeals to the organizers of the planned protest to consider rescheduling the activity to a later date and time.
“This measure is aimed at forestalling any breakdown of law and order, while also ensuring that the rights of other residents to safety, freedom of movement, and the conduct of lawful daily activities are not infringed upon.
“The Command assures residents of the Federal Capital Territory of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property and urges all citizens to continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the collective effort to maintain peace and security.”
Labour Mobilizes Workers
Earlier, in a mobilization notice to workers, and copied to NLC President Joe Ajaero, other labour chiefs, and all affiliate unions, titled ‘Mobilization Of Workers For A Mass Protest’, NLC FCT Chairman, Comrade Stephen Knabayi, directed all unions to mobilize and contribute member-workers for the protest.
The notice went thus: ”Good Evening Comrades.
“As directed, discussed and agreed at the meeting today, mobilise your members for a mass protest as follows:
“Date: Tuesday, 3/02/2026
‘Time: 7am prompt
“Take off point: Labour House
“MHWUN 3000
“NUT 6000
“TUC 6000
“NULGE 2000
“NCSU 3000
“AUPTRE 3000
“NUEE 1000
“NUPSTRAW 1000
“NANNM 1000
“NUJ 1000
“OKADA 1000
“RATTAWU 500
“NASU 500
“PENGASSAN 500
“NUAAE 500
“NUPENG 300
“NUAHP 500
“SASSGOC 500
“COASU 300
“SUCCOEN 400
“NUCECFWW 300
“NUATE 200
“JUSUN 200
“NUR 200
“NUMW 300
“AUATON 300
“NURTW 300
“NUP 200
“NUTGTWUN 1OO
“MOUN 100
“NUBIFIE 100
“NUPTE 100
“PRISCTUN 100
‘NUHPSW 1OO
“All other Unions 50 Each
“JUAC All FCTA staff
“Notes:
“1.All figures are the least Number of workers expected from each union/affiliate.
“2.Appear in your union’s attires.
“This is for your strict compliance, please.
Thank you.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: FCTA workers protesting poor welfare conditions…last week.
