[VIDEO] Outrage trails Wike’s defence of unpaid FCT workers’ allowances

Nigerians have taken to social media to strongly criticise the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following comments in which he defended the delayed payment of allowances and arrears owed to striking workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The remarks, captured in a video currently circulating online, were made amid an ongoing strike by FCTA and FCDA workers demanding the implementation of the ₦70,000 national minimum wage, payment of promotion arrears and outstanding allowances.

In the video, Wike argued that clearing accumulated arrears in a single payment would place an unbearable strain on the FCT’s finances and undermine funding for key infrastructure projects. According to the minister, deploying billions of naira at once to settle back pay would leave insufficient resources for essential services, including ambulances, road construction and other capital projects.

Wike maintained that workers’ salaries are paid promptly, revealing that over ₦12 billion had been approved for January salary payments. He also claimed that internally generated revenue in the FCT had increased significantly under his administration, rising from about ₦9 billion to ₦30 billion monthly.

Defending major capital expenditures, the minister cited the ₦39 billion refurbishment of the Abuja International Conference Centre, which he said had already generated about ₦700 million in revenue shortly after its reopening.

However, the comments triggered widespread backlash online, with many Nigerians describing Wike’s justification as insensitive, especially amid rising living costs and economic pressure on workers.

Reacting on X, @OurFavOnlineDoc wrote: “So people should not be paid for the work they’ve done so that politicians can buy cars. Nigerian politicians are demonic parasites.”

Another user, @XBrianDennis, questioned the economic logic behind the conference centre renovation, stating: “He used ₦36 billion to renovate a conference centre that will not generate ₦36 billion in 10 years. Welcome to the Rumueprikom era.”

Similarly, @emmaikumeh accused the minister of hypocrisy, arguing that while workers are asked to forgo their entitlements, political office holders continue to enjoy their full benefits. “The man is enjoying his own allowances as minister. God will judge Wike,” the user wrote.

Other commenters questioned the moral foundation of the government’s stance. @humbledove asked whether public officials had considered personal sacrifice, noting that leaders’ salaries remain untouched while workers are urged to be patient. “Leadership should start with sacrifice, not speeches,” the post read.

Watch video below: