FCT: Oseni Rufai applauds Wike for avoiding confrontation with protesting workers

Popular television host, Oseni Rufai, has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for choosing to withdraw peacefully after workers staged a protest at his office on Monday.

The incident occurred in Abuja when employees of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) gathered to express dissatisfaction over unresolved welfare concerns. The situation became tense after demonstrators reportedly pursued the minister’s convoy during the protest.

Footage circulating across social media platforms captured moments where visibly agitated workers ran after a vehicle believed to be transporting Wike. The protesters chanted various slogans while drawing attention to lingering issues affecting their employment conditions.

Earlier in the day, the aggrieved workers, with the backing of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), had assembled at the National Industrial Court in Abuja. The action formed part of an ongoing indefinite strike, during which they demanded the minister’s removal and the settlement of outstanding financial obligations.

Eyewitnesses at the scene disclosed that placards displayed by the protesters carried inscriptions such as “Wike must go!!”, “Abuja no be Rivers”, “Pay promotion arrears”, “Enough is Enough”, and “No working tools.” These messages reflected the depth of frustration among the workers.

According to the protesters, the industrial action was triggered by persistent welfare challenges. These include five months of unpaid salaries, delayed promotion benefits stretching over several years, and unsatisfactory working environments that have continued without resolution.

Reacting during The Morning Show, Oseni Rufai acknowledged that while he may not personally align with Wike’s political style, he found the minister’s response commendable. He explained that the situation could have escalated had force been deployed.

Oseni noted that the minister could have opted for a show of strength by dispersing the crowd through security intervention, which might have resulted in chaos. He emphasized that similar scenarios in the country have often degenerated into disorder once crowd control measures are applied.

According to him, confirmation that Wike exited the premises quietly through an alternative route demonstrated restraint. Oseni stressed that such a decision helped prevent what could have become a far more severe confrontation.

Addressing the verbal expressions used by protesters, including accusations and chants, Oseni described them as typical elements of protest behavior. However, he maintained that such language was unnecessary, even though it commonly occurs during demonstrations.