ABUJA, Nigeria — Controversial social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), led a protest on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike’s residence in Abuja, demanding urgent action over the prolonged strike by primary school teachers in the FCT.
The protest comes as teachers under the FCT wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) remain on strike for over 90 days, having downed tools on Monday March 24, 2025, due to the Area Council Chairmen’s failure to implement the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000.
VeryDarkMan, known for his outspoken activism, gathered schoolchildren dressed in uniforms and conducted a symbolic classroom session outside the gate, where he taught them the alphabet.
The demonstration featured a satirical twist as he recited, “S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” with the children echoing his words.
Addressing the protesters, Bitrus Garki, Mandate Secretary of the Area Councils Services Secretariat, acknowledged the severity of the situation but clarified that the responsibility lies primarily with the Area Councils.
“The FCT administration has been intervening in Area Council matters,” Garki said.
“But because this is the state and we also have a relationship with the local government, that is why we come in to intervene in many cases, not just as regards schools, including infrastructure and many other things.”
He emphasised the collaborative nature of the ongoing efforts to resolve the crisis but declined to give a specific timeline.
“We have heard what you have said, and we have received you, but what I can guarantee you is that your message has been heard loud and clear,” he said.
“As to when this will happen… I can’t stand here and say this is when it is going to end.”
Garki assured the demonstrators that traditional rulers and various labour bodies, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), had been engaged in dialogue to resolve the impasse.
In response, VDM issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT administration, threatening to escalate the protest if action is not taken within the week.
“We have decided to give them a week,” he said.
“If they don’t do anything and the children are not back in school, we will have to come with more students from across the FCT.”
Very Dark Man Blocks FCT Minister’s Gate With School Children, Teaching Them (A is for Asiwaju, C for Corruption, W for Wike)pic.twitter.com/lR8Jui1pHn
— MacofNations (@macburnertunes) June 23, 2025
VeryDarkMan also announced plans to protest on behalf of primary healthcare workers on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 noting that they too have been denied the ₦70,000 minimum wage.
“We are not fighting Wike,” he added.
“Let him just see so that he will remember, maybe he has forgotten… He’s stressed. He nearly fell from the plane. So we will give you one week.”
