VDM says the government wants to shut me up
By Toby TAIWO
Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been called out after a viral video misrepresented the voice of President Bola Tinubu.
Comments around the video on X heavily criticized VDM for circulating the purported video, insisting that he has a case to answer.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga had called for legal action against VeryDarkMan over his alleged role in circulating the purported audio involving the President.
The controversy erupted after VDM was accused of sharing a video claiming he had obtained an audio recording allegedly featuring President Tinubu discussing Nigeria’s political situation, insecurity, and the 2027 elections.
Introducing the recording in the video, VDM purportedly said, “After this audio that I am about to play, I would ask if they cooked Nigerians who will support Tinubu in 2027, or you guys are okay.”
However, the video is untrue and AI-generated, according to VDM, who had dissociated himself from the narrative.
Despite this, another X user, Bolaji Fesomade, believes VDM has a case to answer. “VDM will have to explain where the voice note came from. Cloning the voice of the president of Africa’s largest country is a serious criminal offence. He would face serious consequences over this. No protest will save him from this!”
Fisayo Olowokeere, another X user, says, “He should be used as a scapegoat so others won’t have the audacity to do such subsequently, if it is swept under the carpet, others will do the same repeatedly!!!”
Meanwhile, VDM’s legal team said the controversial audio was fabricated and had no connection to VDM.
“The attention of our client has been drawn to the statement made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, concerning a doctored audio currently circulating online and falsely attributed to our client, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan,” the statement signed by Barrister Deji Adeyanju, read.
According to the lawyers, “A simple verification of our client’s verified social media platforms would have confirmed that he neither made nor shared the said audio.”
The lawyers expressed surprise that the Presidency allegedly commented on the matter without first carrying out what they described as proper fact-checking, despite the resources at its disposal.
“It is therefore surprising that, despite the resources available to the Presidency, adverse comments were made concerning our client without proper verification of the facts,” the legal team said.
The legal team further said that the incident reinforced VeryDarkMan’s long-held fears that influential persons within government circles were plotting to silence and discredit him because of his outspoken criticism of issues affecting the public.
The legal team subsequently called on security agencies to launch an investigation into the source of the doctored audio and prosecute those responsible for its circulation.
“We accordingly call on the relevant security agencies to investigate the source and circulation of the doctored audio and ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with in accordance with the law,” the legal team said.
In his most recent post, VDM said the government was only looking for a way to shut him up. “Now they’re desperately attempting to flip the entire narrative simply because citizens are speaking out against the growing insecurity across the country. Instead of addressing the real issues, the focus has shifted toward silencing criticism, manipulating public perception, and distracting people from the legitimate concerns being raised. It’s becoming increasingly obvious that the goal is no longer to solve the problem, but to suppress the voices demanding accountability and meaningful action.”
