By Samuel Adeola
Popular social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on Monday led a dramatic protest outside the FCT Minister’s office in Abuja, demanding an end to the ongoing strike by primary school teachers.
The teachers, under the Local Government Education Authorities, have been on strike since March 24, 2025, following the failure of Area Council Chairmen to implement the new ₦70,000 national minimum wage.
VDM, clad in a school uniform and joined by children, staged a symbolic classroom session at the minister’s gate, using satirical phrases like “S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike” to draw attention to the crisis.
Addressing the protesters, Mandate Secretary of the Area Councils Services Secretariat, Bitrus Garki, noted that resolving the strike primarily falls under the Area Councils’ jurisdiction.
He added that the FCT administration is working with relevant stakeholders, including the NUT, NLC, NULGE, and traditional rulers, to find a solution.
However, Garki did not provide a specific timeline for resolution.
Issuing a seven-day ultimatum, VDM warned that more pupils from across the FCT would join the protest if the strike is not called off.
He also announced a follow-up protest on Tuesday over the non-payment of the same minimum wage to primary healthcare workers.
“It’s just for Wike to see this… maybe he has forgotten,” VDM said, urging the minister to act before politics ahead of 2027 takes over.