The President of the Joint Union Action Congress of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTA/FCDA), Rifkatu Iortyer, has explained why workers under the unions have continued their strike despite a court directive ordering a return to work.
Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, Iortyer clarified that the suit filed by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike was directed at her and Umar Abdullahi Saliu, not the entire workforce. “Now, the suit is Rifkatu Iortyer and Umar Abdullahi Saliu,” she said.
She explained that after the court ruling, she addressed the press and announced her intention to comply by resuming work, but workers rejected that approach. “So when I came out and I addressed the press again, telling them that, sorry, we all have to go back to work,” she said, adding that staff members objected.
According to her, the workers argued that the ruling did not apply to them. “The staffs said, no, you were sued. We weren’t sued. And so that ruling is not binding on them,” Iortyer stated. She noted that the workers insisted she could resume work personally while they continued the strike. “So you can go to work while we continue our strike. So what you said was for you,” she said.
Iortyer explained that the unions engaged in extensive consultations following the disagreement. “We went back and forth and then we kept asking questions, consulting here and there and all,” she added. She also referenced the role of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), saying the body had earlier endorsed the strike. “Even before we began the strike, NLC issued a statement. They were with us. And they asked other affiliate bodies to join,” she said.
She expressed concern over the sequence proposed by the court, which ordered a return to work before reconciliation. “I would have thought they would say, okay, go back to work. And by the next day, 28th, start reconciliation,” she said.
Iortyer questioned the implication of resuming work while reconciliation efforts were deferred until March. “For you to say, go back to work and then we’ll give room for reconciliation, and then the hearing will be on the 23rd of March,” she noted. She warned that the arrangement could leave the unions trapped without resolution. “What if there’s no reconciliation? It means I’ve been boxed into what I don’t want,” she said.
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