Silence slowly returned to parts of Abuja in the early hours of Tuesday, ending a night that had kept workers, commuters and residents on edge. By 3:50 am, a breakthrough had been reached: the strike that grounded activities in the Federal Capital Territory was officially called off. The truce was the outcome of an intense, late-night meeting convened at the instance of the Senate Committee on the FCT and chaired by Senator Mohammed Bomoi.
Negotiations began shortly before midnight and stretched deep into the morning, with all sides locked in talks for more than three hours. At the centre of the resolution was the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, who led the government delegation. Facing him across the table were the presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, backed by the general secretaries of both labour centres and other critical stakeholders.
Sources at the meeting said the discussions were frank and, at moments, tense, reflecting the urgency of the situation and the impact of the strike on the nation’s capital. However, persistence paid off, as compromises were reached and assurances given, clearing the path for an immediate return to work. With the agreement now in place, workers in the FCT are expected to resume duties without delay, restoring normalcy to offices, services and public life in Abuja.
The resolution marks a significant intervention by the FCT administration and the National Assembly, underscoring the role of dialogue in defusing labour disputes and preventing prolonged disruptions in the seat of power.
