Popular activist and outspoken social media commentator, Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has responded defiantly to the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s seven-day ultimatum demanding an apology over his criticism of Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s recent trip to the Vatican.
The APC had issued the ultimatum after VDM called Akpabio’s attendance at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome “shameful,” especially at a time when multiple Nigerian states are overwhelmed by violent killings and attacks by armed groups. Akpabio had led a five-man federal government delegation to the funeral, a move that sparked backlash from citizens and drew sharp condemnation from the activist.
In a three-minute video that has since gone viral, VeryDarkMan reiterated his stance, condemning the trip as insensitive and misaligned with Nigeria’s pressing domestic crises. He asserted that the Senate President, and by extension the federal government, had neglected their primary responsibility to protect citizens.
Rather than apologising to Akpabio, VDM directed his words to victims of violence across the country, especially those in states like Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, Enugu, and Edo. “First of all, I want to apologise to the people of Benue, Jos, Kwara, Enugu, Ogun, and Edo — to all victims of the insurgency and insecurity ravaging this country,” he stated. “These deaths are the consequences of having irresponsible leaders who prioritize political expeditions over the lives of their citizens.”
He described the government’s priorities as disconnected from the suffering of ordinary Nigerians. “Instead of mourning the deaths at home, our leaders are flying abroad for funeral ceremonies of people who didn’t even know they existed. Since they won’t apologise, I will. People are dying daily, and yet they have the audacity to give me a seven-day ultimatum.”
VeryDarkMan didn’t stop there — he turned the ultimatum back at the government, giving them a seven-day deadline to clamp down on violent herdsmen attacks in Benue, Jos, Enugu, and surrounding regions. He expressed deep frustration over the state’s apparent failure to address citizens’ basic needs of security, welfare, and development, declaring that it was painful to see Nigeria still prioritising politics over humanity.
Bold and unapologetic, VDM called out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directly, questioning the administration’s silence in the face of ongoing killings. “President sef no get mouth give statement,” he said. “I want to give you people seven days to clamp down on the herdsmen attack that is going on.”
Challenging the status quo, VeryDarkMan made it clear he was prepared to face any consequences for speaking truth to power. “They can’t intimidate us into silence,” he said. “I’ll continue to speak the truth no matter how uncomfortable it makes them. I’m not afraid of any consequences they throw at me — I’m a fighter. If this is the price of standing for the truth, so be it.”
His statement has drawn widespread attention and reignited national debate about the role of government, freedom of speech, and accountability in the face of Nigeria’s enduring security crisis.
