An aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, on Tuesday, explained why the minister left through the back entrance of the ministry, contrary to insinuations that the minister fled from protesting workers.
Olayinka clarified that Wike simply took a different route after protesters obstructed the main entrance of the ministry.
He noted that the minister opted not to have security agents disperse the protesters and instead left through the entrance into the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
Olayinka stated that Wike was en route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to see off President Bola Tinubu at the time of the incident.
Videos circulating on social media depicted angry workers pursuing a vehicle believed to be transporting the minister while chanting slogans regarding unpaid salaries and inadequate welfare conditions.
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The protest occurred on Monday when employees of the Federal Capital Territory Administration demonstrated over unresolved issues, including five months of unpaid salaries, promotion arrears, and a lack of necessary working tools.
The workers, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress, also picketed the National Industrial Court in Abuja, as part of an indefinite strike.
Some of the signs displayed by the workers during the protest included messages such as: “Wike must go,” “Pay promotion arrears,” “Enough is enough,” and “No working tools.”
