Television presenter Oseni Rufai has commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for avoiding confrontation after his office was picketed by protesting workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Monday.
Tension reportedly erupted in Abuja when aggrieved FCTA workers staged a protest over unresolved welfare and salary issues, forcing the minister to leave the area. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters chasing a vehicle allegedly conveying Wike, while chanting slogans and drawing attention to their grievances.
Earlier in the day, the workers, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja as part of their ongoing indefinite strike. The protesters were demanding the payment of outstanding entitlements and calling for Wike’s removal as FCT minister.
Placards carried by the demonstrators bore messages such as “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough”, and “No working tools,” according to witnesses at the scene. The workers said their action was prompted by unresolved welfare concerns, including five months of unpaid salaries, long-standing promotion arrears, and poor working conditions.
Speaking on The Morning Show, Oseni Rufai said that although he may not be a supporter of Wike, he believed the minister’s decision to retreat peacefully helped prevent a more serious situation. According to him, Wike could have responded with force, which might have escalated tensions and led to violence.
“I commend Wike for what he did , the way he ran away,” Oseni said. “He could have used muscle and might. Tear gas could have been fired, and it would have turned into a brouhaha. This has happened many times in this country.”
Oseni added that Wike’s decision to leave through the back and avoid confrontation helped calm the situation, noting that while some of the chants used by protesters were part of protest rhetoric, they were unnecessary.
