The staff of Demonstration Secondary Schools in Rivers have barricaded Rivers Government House as they accused Governor Nyesom Wike of refusing to pay their five years’ salaries, letting some of their sick colleagues to die.

Peoples Gazette learnt the staff were joined in the protest by the civil society and others, calling on Mr Wike to obey court order.

Videos and pictures on social media showed protesters with banners of dead staff of the school. According to the protesters, the victims would not have died if Mr Wike had paid their salaries to cater for their poor health.

Some protesters wondered “why he (Mr Wike) is wicked,” as some with mats, laid on the ground.

The Gazette learnt the protesters planned to spend the night in front of the Government House’s gate unless Mr Wike addressed them.

In March, The Gazette reported a similar protest by the staff, appealing to Mr Wike to pay their salaries.

Prior to Mr. Wike’s regime, the staff were employed under the civil service by the past government to teach in primary and secondary schools owned by public tertiary institutions.

But Mr Wike, barely one year in office, insisted the government could not afford to pay the staff, requesting the state-owned universities and polytechnic to pay the teachers.