Prominent social media commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, commonly referred to as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has organised a daring protest at the entrance of the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, located in Abuja.
Naijaonpoint reports that the protest is a response to Wike’s declaration of intentions to withhold 10 per cent of the statutory allocation to area councils, citing their failure to implement the new minimum wage for primary school educators, a situation that has resulted in a continuing strike.
It is worth noting that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had gone on strike since March 24, due to the non-payment of the ₦70,000 minimum wage by Chairmen of the six Area Councils in the FCT.
VDM had earlier taken to his Facebook page and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into the issue.
He had said, “For over 9 weeks, our public primary school kids in the Federal Capital Territory have been out of school.
“According to their books, they claimed they are paying these primary school teachers 80 thousand naira and above, depending on their level.
“Sadly, they lied to them because till now they are still being paid 30 thousand naira, and upon this they have been owed salaries, and for this reason the teachers decided to go on strike.
“@officialasiwajubat this is not the future you promised Nigerians. Our children will be limited to a brighter future without this basic education. @officialefcc please we demand a deep investigation on the board in charge of their salaries so as to clear this mess and send these innocent kids back to school.”
On Monday, however, VDM assembled school children in uniforms and held a class where he instructed them on the letters of the alphabet.
“S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” VDM called out, while the children repeated.
VDM stated at the protest ground that Wike’s gate would henceforth serve as the pupils’ new classroom.
Naijaonpoint recalls that just a week ago, VeryDarkMan stormed Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Sunday to lend his voice to the ongoing youth protest demanding an end to the spate of killings plaguing communities across the state.
The protest, which began in the early hours of Sunday, saw thousands of angry youths block the ever-busy Abuja-Makurdi highway, wielding placards, palm fronds, and clad in black attire, a symbol of mourning.
The demonstration came less than 24 hours after suspected armed herdsmen reportedly massacred over 200 people in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area.
The protesters, visibly grief-stricken, accused the government of neglect and inaction in the face of repeated bloodshed.
Tensions quickly escalated when security operatives moved in to disperse the peaceful protest, firing teargas canisters into the crowd.
VeryDarkMan, who arrived during the commotion, condemned the police response, describing it as insensitive and unjust.