Abuja Resident Doctors Begin Three-Day Strike, Issue Strong Warning to FCT Minister Wike

Resident doctors in the Federal Capital Territory have launched a three-day warning strike in protest against the dismissal of 127 health workers by the FCT Civil Service Commission. The strike, which commenced on Tuesday, May 6, follows an emergency congress held by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD) on Monday at Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja.

Speaking after the meeting, the president of the association, Dr. George Ebong, described the dismissals as both inhumane and illegal. He demanded the immediate reinstatement of all affected workers and the payment of their April salaries. Dr. Ebong also called for the resignation of the chairman of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Emeka Ezeh.

According to Dr. Ebong, the affected workers — who include doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab scientists, and non-clinical staff — were wrongfully labelled as ghost workers, ex-employees, and absconders. He insisted that many of them are still actively working in their respective facilities.

“We are embarking on this three-day warning strike because most of the members were disengaged from service on Friday without due diligence,” Dr. Ebong said. “The FCT service commission acted without consulting the Health Management Board, the Permanent Secretary of Health, ARD, or the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria. Even hospital managing directors were unaware — three MDs are among those affected.”

He further questioned the feasibility of maintaining hospital operations without the dismissed staff. “If these 127 health workers are indeed ghost workers, how are the hospitals functioning? The system would have collapsed,” he argued.

The ARD warned that if the FCT Administration and Minister Nyesom Wike fail to address their demands within three days, they would initiate an indefinite strike, effectively shutting down hospitals across the capital.

Dr. Ebong concluded with a firm demand: “We want immediate payment of the affected workers’ salaries and their full reinstatement.”