Controversial social media critic and influencer, Martins Vincent Otse — popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) — has led an unusual protest at the gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s office in Abuja.
The protest, which took place on Monday, comes amid a prolonged strike by primary school teachers across the FCT, now entering its fourth month.
The teachers have been on strike since 24 March 2025, protesting the Area Council Chairmen’s failure to implement the newly approved national minimum wage of ₦70,000.
In a striking display, VDM arrived at the protest wearing a school uniform and was accompanied by a group of children also dressed in uniforms. He set up an improvised classroom at the entrance of the Minister’s office, where he began teaching the children letters of the alphabet.
“S for Suebge, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” he called out, with the children repeating after him.
Despite the media presence, VDM declined to grant interviews. When approached, he refused to speak, insisting that the Minister’s gate would serve as the children’s new classroom.
Photos by Nathaniel Shaibu captured the influencer seated among the children during the makeshift class session.
At the time of reporting, the children were observed taking a lunch break, eating rice and chicken reportedly provided by VDM and his associates.
The protest adds to growing public frustration over the ongoing strike, which has left thousands of pupils out of school for more than 90 days.
Further updates are expected.
