Social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has lashed out at the Presidency following threats of legal action over the circulation of an alleged fake audio linked to President Bola Tinubu.
VDM, who is currently in China, reacted in a lengthy emotional video after presidential aide, Bayo Onanuga, accused him of spreading false information capable of misleading the public and damaging the image of the President.
Onanuga had earlier stated on X that the influencer “needs to face the weight of the law” for allegedly disseminating a fake audio recording purportedly connected to Tinubu.
Reacting, VDM claimed he received several panic calls warning him not to return to Nigeria, alleging that there were plans to arrest him upon arrival.
According to him, friends urged him to remain abroad for his safety after Onanuga’s statement sparked widespread reactions online.
The activist said he was attending a business meeting in China aimed at securing a power project for Nigeria when the controversy erupted.
VDM, however, denied responsibility for creating the audio recording, insisting that he merely shared content already circulating online.
He accused the Presidency and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to frame him because of his criticism of the Tinubu administration.
“They are trying to set me up because I have been speaking against Tinubu,” he alleged.
The influencer maintained that his criticism of the government was protected under democracy and freedom of expression, stressing that citizens have the right to question leadership and governance failures.
He also accused government officials of focusing more on silencing critics than addressing insecurity across the country.
Referring to recent kidnappings and killings in Oyo State and other parts of Nigeria, VDM questioned why authorities had not shown the same urgency in tackling banditry and abductions.
“Children are still in captivity, people are being kidnapped every week, yet the government is more interested in arresting critics,” he said.
VDM further claimed that some social media influencers and online commentators had been mobilised to push narratives against him, alleging a coordinated effort to justify his possible arrest.
He insisted that he would not stop speaking against insecurity, hardship and governance failures in the country.
The activist repeatedly described President Tinubu as “incompetent,” arguing that the current administration had failed to tackle insecurity and economic hardship.
According to him, Nigerians should vote out the APC government in the 2027 elections if the situation in the country does not improve.
VDM also alleged that efforts were being made to charge him with treason over his comments and activism.
Despite the threats, he vowed to return to Nigeria and continue speaking out against what he described as the government’s failures.
“I have the right to criticise the government. We are in a democracy,” he said.
The controversial influencer also urged Nigerians to obtain their voter cards ahead of the next general elections, insisting that citizens must use their votes to demand accountability and change.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor security agencies had officially responded to VDM’s latest comments.
