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| VeryDarkMan Critiques Senate President in Viral Video |
A top zonal leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region has given social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, seven days to apologize to Senate President Godswill Akpabio for “disparaging” remarks in a viral video .
In a statement issued on Sunday, Blessing Agbomhere, the South-South Zonal Organizing Secretary, called Otse’s critique “unwarranted and slanderous.” The APC warned him to draw a clear line between activism and defamation .
VeryDarkMan’s three-minute video condemned Akpabio for leading a five-man federal delegation to the Vatican for Pope Francis’s funeral last Saturday. He labeled the visit “shameful,” arguing that Akpabio should have used his time to visit states facing deadly herdsmen attacks .
Agbomhere defended the Senate President’s trip, noting that President Bola Tinubu personally nominated Akpabio as Nigeria’s envoy. He praised Akpabio as a devout Catholic and family man with an unblemished record .
The APC statement urged Nigerians to ignore what it called VeryDarkMan’s “uninformed rantings.” It also warned the influencer against further attacks on Akpabio or any other member of the Tinubu administration .
VeryDarkMan first rose to fame via short videos calling out public figures. He often blends activism with satire to highlight social ills. His October video on fuel subsidy talks drew over two million views .
Political analyst Dr. Aisha Bala says influencers can hold leaders to account. But Bala warns they risk legal or political backlash if remarks stray into defamation . Dr. Bala adds that public office carries both privilege and scrutiny.
Critics of the APC see the ultimatum as heavy-handed. They argue that social media remains one of the few open platforms for citizen voices. Blogger Chinedu Okeke says, “We need space to debate our leaders honestly” .
Supporters of Akpabio praise the Senate President’s Vatican trip. They stress that Nigeria must be part of global mourning for the late pontiff. Catholic layman Mrs. Mary Udo says, “We share grief with the world’s Catholics” .
Security expert Major-Gen. Peter Usman (rtd.) notes that insecurity in Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu demands urgent attention. But he says federal representatives can do both—attend global events and promote security at home .
The Tinubu administration has met with service chiefs on fresh anti-insecurity strategies. The President returned from France and the UK last week and gave new marching orders to security agencies .
Legal scholar Prof. Funke Adejumo explains that defamation law in Nigeria allows civil action for reputational harm. She says VeryDarkMan risks a lawsuit if he fails to apologize within the week .
Some youth activists defend VeryDarkMan’s right to speak. They claim his video shone light on neglected security crises. Activist James Eze insists, “Leaders must answer tough questions” .
APA style media coach Mrs. Grace Nwankwo advises influencers to verify facts before posting. She warns that viral reach cannot shield one from legal or political consequences .
The showdown raises key questions: Where do we draw the line between activism and slander? How should leaders respond to citizen criticism? What role do social media voices play in our democracy?
We invite you to join the discussion. Share your thoughts below on influencer activism, respect for public office, and the future of free speech in Nigeria.