NLC Pickets Wike’s Office Over N70,000 Minimum Wage Demand

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday picketed the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanding the immediate implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for Area Council workers, teachers, and health personnel.

Hundreds of placard-carrying protesters marched peacefully from the Labour House in Abuja’s Central Area to Wike’s office at Area 11, chanting anti-government songs to press home their demands. Tensions rose when armed police officers stationed at the main gate of the Minister’s office locked the entrance, barring the protesters from gaining access.

Despite the barricade, the demonstrators stood their ground, vowing to shut down all operations within the premises until their grievances were addressed. They demanded that Wike personally come out to meet them and refused to entertain any intermediary dialogue.

An attempt by Lawrence Garki, a management staff member and Mandate Secretary, to address the crowd was swiftly rejected, as the protesters booed and chanted “thief, thief,” forcing him to retreat.

The protest also included a call for the resignation or removal of all six Area Council Chairmen, whom the NLC accused of negligence and insensitivity to the plight of workers.

As of press time, a standoff continued at the gate with protesters holding their position, insisting that only a direct response from the Minister would end the blockade.