The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) staged a dramatic protest at the office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, demanding the immediate implementation of a N70,000 minimum wage for workers in the six Area Councils of the Territory.

Hundreds of workers, including teachers and health professionals, marched from Labour House in Abuja’s Central Area to the Minister’s office, carrying placards and chanting solidarity and anti-government slogans. They expressed frustration over what they described as the deliberate neglect of their welfare by the FCT Administration.

Tensions rose when armed policemen locked the entrance to the Minister’s office, preventing the protesters from entering. In response, the NLC blocked movement in and out of the complex, insisting that Minister Wike must address them directly.

A Mandate Secretary, Lawrence Garki, attempted to engage with the crowd but was met with jeers and chants of “thief, thief!” as the protesters demanded to see no one but the Minister himself.

One protester declared, “We will not leave here until Wike comes out. We are tired of the lies and delay. Our people are suffering while the government continues to ignore us.”

The protesters also called for the resignation or removal of the six Area Council chairmen, accusing them of indifference to workers’ issues and failing to prioritize their welfare.

The NLC’s primary demand is the enforcement of the N70,000 minimum wage, which they claim has been agreed upon but not implemented by the FCT Administration for Area Council staff.

As of the time of this report, the protest was ongoing, with no official response from Minister Wike or the FCT Administration.