The South-South Zonal Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern ultimatum to popular social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, famously known as VeryDarkMan, demanding a public apology within seven days for what it described as “unwarranted and malicious” attacks against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
VeryDarkMan, known for his bold and often controversial commentaries, had in a viral video lambasted Akpabio for traveling to Rome to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, despite Nigeria grappling with relentless insecurity. He argued that the Senate President’s presence was needed at home, condoling with families in states like Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu, where violence and bloodshed have persisted.
According to the outspoken influencer, Akpabio’s trip showcased a lack of empathy and moral judgment at a time when leadership presence was desperately needed in crisis-torn communities.
Firing back, the South-South APC on Sunday came to the Senate President’s defense, vehemently condemning VeryDarkMan’s comments and branding them as “blackmail, slander, and character assassination masked as activism.”
The party’s warning, issued through Blessing Agbomhere, its Zonal Organizing Secretary, read in part:
> “VeryDarkMan is becoming notorious for calculated attacks against reputable leaders under the guise of being a social crusader. His verbal assault on the Senate President — the nation’s number three citizen — is not only irresponsible but highly defamatory.”
Defending Akpabio’s trip, the APC clarified that the Senate President was personally nominated by President Bola Tinubu to lead Nigeria’s delegation to the Vatican, a move it said was both diplomatic and necessary.
> “What exactly is wrong with that? Akpabio didn’t appoint himself. He was carrying out a national duty — representing Nigeria’s condolences at a globally significant event,” the party’s statement emphasized.
The party further noted that President Tinubu, immediately upon returning from international engagements, had met with security chiefs and issued fresh directives to combat insecurity more aggressively.
> “This is hardly the behavior of a government indifferent to the safety of its citizens,” it stated, insisting that Nigeria’s security challenges are deep-rooted and require more than “cheap shots from social media activists to resolve.”
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Akpabio was leading a five-man Nigerian delegation to the funeral rites of Pope Francis in Vatican City. Others in the delegation included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Diocese; and Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja Diocese.
Confirming the development, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, had noted that the delegation was tasked with delivering a condolence letter from President Tinubu to the Vatican.
President Tinubu, in his heartfelt tribute following Pope Francis’ passing on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, described the late pontiff as “a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.” The President further noted that Pope Francis’ death, coming just after Easter celebrations, symbolized “a sacred return to his Maker, offering renewed hope to Christians worldwide.”
As the deadline clock ticks, all eyes are now on VeryDarkMan: will he bow to the APC’s demands and apologise, or will this escalate into yet another battle in Nigeria’s increasingly volatile clash between political power and social media activism?
PIONEER NEWS 