In a fresh wave of controversy shaking up Nigerian social media, popular activist and influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan (VDM), has set tongues wagging with his fiery response to the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s demand for an apology to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
What Really Happened?
VDM had openly slammed Senate President Akpabio for leading Nigeria’s delegation to the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, calling it “shameful.” According to VDM, Akpabio’s place should have been in Nigeria, addressing the deadly violence and insecurity plaguing states like Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu.
Reacting swiftly, the South-South APC chapter fired back, accusing VDM of blackmail and character assassination disguised as activism. They issued a one-week ultimatum demanding he apologize unreservedly to Akpabio and warned him against attacking the Senate President and President Bola Tinubu’s administration again.
The APC defended Akpabio’s trip, saying he was nominated by President Tinubu, and praised him as a “man of impeccable character” and a devout Catholic.
VDM’s Explosive Response
Never one to back down, VDM replied in a viral video:
“Whoever is asking me to apologize to the Senate President in APC, God will punish you!”
He clarified that his criticism was not personal but directed at the poor governance and rising insecurity affecting ordinary Nigerians. VDM tendered an apology only to the victims of violence across Nigeria — not to the politicians. He also condemned the apology demand as an attack on freedom of speech and vowed to stand his ground.
The Bigger Picture
While APC views VDM’s comments as defamatory, VDM insists his activism is for the common people suffering daily in Nigeria. His bold stance has further ignited conversations around leadership accountability, freedom of expression, and the role of youth voices in Nigerian politics.
One thing is clear — VDM is not apologizing anytime soon!
