The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured that the grievances of striking doctors in Abuja are being addressed through due process.
He gave the assurance on Thursday during the inauguration of a road project in the capital.
The resident doctors in the FCT began an indefinite strike on Monday over six months of unpaid salaries, manpower shortages, and critical allowances.
Wike explained that the delay was procedural, noting the recent appointment of an acting Head of Service.
“If the Permanent Secretary, Treasury, brings their bill now, why will I hold it? They will be paid. They should know that everything has a procedure,” he said.
The minister urged the doctors not to politicise their demands, stressing that while grievances would be resolved, due process must be respected.
He acknowledged their threat to stage a protest at the gates of the FCT Administration but said such actions would not deter his government.
“The DSS called me, that people said they will demonstrate, that we are paying attention to roads and not to health. Demonstration is allowed everywhere. Nobody will blackmail me, nobody will stop me from doing what I think is right,” he said.
Wike further highlighted that the FCT Administration had allocated N25 billion for health sector capital projects in the 2025 budget, describing the figure as unprecedented.
He dismissed claims that other sectors were being neglected, criticising what he called a “culture of blackmail” in Nigeria.
According to him, strikes and protests are democratic rights, but they must be exercised within the framework of due process in the best interest of the territory.
