The African Action Congress (AAC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has sharply criticized Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, over his recent directive banning the use of mobile phones by workers of the FCT Administration during office hours, describing it as an unconstitutional and authoritarian act that violates the fundamental rights of civil servants.
In a statement jointly signed by Agena Robert Ande, the AAC FCT Chairman, and Salako Kayode, the Secretary, the party condemned the policy as “a draconian and undemocratic move that undermines both the dignity and liberty of Nigerian public servants.”
“This directive is not only egregious but a gross affront to the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and communication,” the party said. “It reflects a disturbing trend of executive overreach that must be resisted by all who believe in democratic governance.”
The AAC argued that the ban on phone use symbolizes a deep-seated contempt for the civil service and represents an attempt to “reduce FCT workers to servitude.” The party likened Wike’s conduct to “the behavior of autocrats who fear transparency and accountability.”
The statement continued:
“We are not yet in a Banana Republic. The Minister’s decision to strip civil servants of basic rights within their workplace is illegal, unethical, and incompatible with the principles of good governance.”
The party accused Wike of abuse of administrative authority, warning that such practices erode the spirit of democratic accountability within public institutions. “Wike’s pattern of high-handedness and verbal aggression is well-documented,” the statement noted, urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take immediate disciplinary action and relieve the minister of his duties.
From a legal standpoint, the AAC’s position aligns with sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) that protect citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and communication. Legal observers argue that any workplace policy restricting such freedoms must be reasonable, proportionate, and grounded in law, not rooted in personal discretion or administrative fiat.
Reaffirming its commitment to defending the rule of law, the AAC emphasized that it would mobilize civil society organizations and the public to resist what it described as an “emerging culture of bureaucratic tyranny” under Wike’s leadership.
“Nigeria cannot afford to normalize executive excesses. The rights of civil servants are human rights, and any policy that suppresses those rights must be challenged,” the party concluded.
The AAC’s statement adds to a growing list of criticisms against the FCT Minister, whose style of governance has repeatedly sparked controversy within Abuja’s political and legal communities.
