Patients at primary healthcare centres and general hospitals across the Federal Capital Territory area councils were left stranded on Wednesday as workers joined the ongoing strike by the Joint Union Action Committee.
JUAC had last Monday declared an indefinite strike, citing what it described as the FCTA’s “breach of trust,” “inaction” and the “deliberate demoralisation” of workers through several unresolved grievances.
Since the strike began, primary and secondary schools in the six area councils, as well as agencies including the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and the FCT Water Board, have remained shut.
Reports from various general hospitals on Wednesday showed patients waiting for hours with no medical personnel on duty.
“I came this morning for a medical checkup, only to learn the workers are on strike. I now have to go back home and look for an alternative,” said Mrs Grace Yohana, a patient at the Naharati Comprehensive Health Centre in Abaji.
Another patient, Mr Ibrahim Saleh, also lamented the situation. “I came to get a prescription, but I was surprised to find no one here. I was told the workers are on strike. It is a difficult situation for those of us who cannot afford private care,” he said.
Residents of Kwaku community in Kuje Area Council and Yebu in Kwali Area Council said they now have to travel long distances to the city centre to seek treatment at costly private hospitals.
Meanwhile, the Joint Union Action Committee on Wednesday filed an appeal against the ruling of the National Industrial Court, which ordered an immediate suspension of the strike and a return to work.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, had approached the court, arguing that the strike violated provisions of the Trade Disputes Act and contending that JUAC—led by President Rifkatu Iortyer and Secretary Abdullahi Saleh—is not a registered trade union.
In his judgment delivered on Tuesday, Justice Emmanuel Subilim directed workers to call off the strike to avert the total shutdown of government activities.
While acknowledging that workers have a right to strike, the judge held that the right is not absolute, referencing Section 18(1)(b) of the Trade Dispute Act, which bars industrial action once a dispute has been referred to the Industrial Court.
Following the ruling, Wike warned that there would be “consequences” for workers who failed to resume duties. However, the workers, through their counsel, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, have proceeded to the Court of Appeal to challenge the order.
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also countered the court directive, instructing all Abuja-based affiliate unions to “reinforce, intensify and sustain” the strike.
In a circular signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and Acting Secretary Benson Upah, the Congress cited “continued neglect of workers’ welfare and persistent intimidation” as justification for disregarding the court order.
The NLC further urged its members to take part in daily “Solidarity Sessions” between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. at designated locations, warning that “any retreat at this stage will only embolden further violations.”
Some workers who reported for duty at the FCTA Secretariat on Wednesday told reporters that they did so out of fear.
Reacting, the FCT minister’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said workers were already resuming duties.
“People are already working; we are resuming. The truth of the matter is that most of the workers were not in support of the strike action,” Olayinka said.
“That was the reason the union leaders had to barricade the gates and force people to comply. When people are genuinely aggrieved, you don’t need to force them.”
