Strike: VDM Leads Symbolic Protest at FCT Minister’s Office, Issues One-Week Ultimatum
Controversial online activist and influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on Monday led a striking demonstration at the gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s office in Abuja to protest the prolonged shutdown of primary schools in the nation’s capital.
The protest, described by many as both symbolic and dramatic, saw VDM staging an open-air classroom at the minister’s gate. Flanked by schoolchildren clad in uniforms, the social media personality conducted a mock lesson—teaching the alphabet in a satirical tone: “S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” he chanted, with the children repeating in unison.
Primary school teachers across all six Area Councils of the FCT have been on strike since March 24, 2025, following the local authorities’ failure to implement the new national minimum wage of ₦70,000. Over 90 days into the industrial action, thousands of schoolchildren remain at home, with parents and stakeholders growing increasingly restless.
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Responding to the protest, Bitrus Garki, Mandate Secretary of the Area Councils Services Secretariat, acknowledged the issue but clarified that the matter falls primarily under the jurisdiction of the Area Councils, not the FCT administration. He added that the administration had stepped in multiple times to assist.
“The FCT administration continues to intervene where necessary—especially on issues related to education, infrastructure, and basic services,” Garki stated. “While it’s the Area Councils’ statutory responsibility, we’re engaging with all stakeholders, including the NUT, NULGE, NLC, and traditional rulers, to resolve.”
While stopping short of a timeline, Garki assured protesters that talks were ongoing and appealed for calm, emphasizing that the Minister is keen on ensuring that the council chairmen live up to their obligations.
Unimpressed by the response, VDM issued a seven-day ultimatum to the FCT authorities. “If in one week the children aren’t back in school, we’ll return in greater numbers—with even more pupils from across the FCT,” he vowed.
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He further revealed that the next stage of his advocacy would spotlight primary healthcare workers, who, like the teachers, have allegedly been denied the new minimum wage. “Tomorrow is for the health workers,” VDM declared. “This isn’t an attack on Wike—we’re just reminding him. Maybe he’s distracted, already focusing on 2027. But we won’t be silent.”
As tensions build and public pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Area Council leadership to act swiftly and avert an escalation of the crisis.