“Chaos is a ladder.” Remember who rendered this famous quote? You are right: It was Lord Peter Baelish in the greatest television series of all-time, ‘Game of Throne.’ This was a character laden with as much wisdom as cunningness and this quote of his is so true in our everyday lives. Who is ‘VeryDarkMan’ (VDM) and what makes him stand out among other minions of social media influencers and critiques. This article will help you unravel his secret weapon and how it has worked so well for him so far?
When Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan, first blew to limelight, it was for calling out a lady on social media for selling fake skin products. Boom! The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC) waded into the matter and the girl’s business was rightfully shut down. This bold move, at the risk of being sued for defamation, along with all the attendant risks, endeared him to many. He became, overnight, a Nigerian media sensation. For the masses and a few elites, a darling; but for some other elites, a burgeoning pain-in-the ass.
Since then, this muscular, tall, very dark man, has gone toe-to-toe with the country’s most influential of personalities: From self-acclaimed Activist, Iyabo Ojo, to Nigerian billionaire, Obi Cubana, the list of his ‘victims’ are endless. He comes at you so hard that you’ll wonder if you stole his girlfriend in another life! I’ve seen big figures either shy away from engaging him, or make a fool of themselves while trying to to do so. It’s a dilemma for many and I, for one, would definitely not like to be on the receiving end of his activism.
Now, here’s what stands him out from the hundreds, if not thousands of so-called influencers littering the streets of Twitter (I won’t call it ‘X’ so, don’t bother correcting me), Instagram, Facebook et al. Unlike folks like Daniel Regha who target small issues and bicker over stuff that doesn’t really impact the lives of everyday Nigerians, this guy, VDM, goes for the juggernaut—matters of national importance, things that bother the everyday Nigerian. This strategy helps put him at the forefront of national discourses. This isn’t just influencing some meaningless Victor Osimhen transfer to Chelsea, or querying Davido on why he didn’t mention Chioma in his latest song. Nah. VDM is breaking national protocols and critiquing events of public importance. This big difference is what has made him stand out in so short a time.
On one hand, I do understand why the vast majority of influencers are unlike VDM: His strategy is way too risky. Most people are self-centered and have zero interest in contributing anything whatsoever to nation building. Critiquing key national topics or going toe-to-toe with big figures, as opposed to ass-licking these figures, wouldn’t appeal to them. So, they shy away from the VDM style and prefer easy topics that make zero impact on the country, but put coins in their pockets.
On the other hand, the white man will tell you that, “the bigger the risk, the bigger the reward.” Right about now, VeryDarkMan equates himself to Nelson Mandela. Oh yes he does! Quite honestly, to an extent, he isn’t far from the truth. What was Nelson Mandela? A freedom fighter, right? What did Mandela do in his time? Critique national issues that impacted the lives of everyday South Africans. What has VeryDarkMan been doing? The very same thing (except you are trying to delude yourself based on hate). So, in many ways, he is similar to every other Activist that has lived and is right to be deemed so. By taking these risks, VDM has put himself on the map and made himself irritable to many with skeletons in their cupboards. That, right there, is the hallmark of a true activist.
Thus, when the Bobrisky phone conversation was played by VDM over a week ago, where, the Crossdresser stated that he had reached out to Activist, Femi Falana (SAN) and son, Folarin Falana (Falz) to help secure a presidential pardon for him while in jail for abusing the Naira note, I, instantly knew VDM had struck gold yet again. This was another fire he had set with its smoke bound to hit the bottom of the skies. The scandal from this was going to be the chaos that cements VDM’s status as a great.
So, when Falz meekly admitted to receiving a phone call from Bobrisky, I knew the die was cast, His weak attempt to explain away the fact that Bob has asked for N3m to “secure a VIP section in Kirikiri prison” added more fuel to VDM’s already raging fire. Heads rolled. Since then, prison officials have been suspended, the Minister of Interior has set up an inquest into corruption in the correctional service and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the agency Bobrisky claims to have bribed N15m to squash his money laundering charges, have also began their own investigations. If that isn’t the dictionary meaning of ‘impact,’ then, I really don’t know what secondary school you attended while growing up. This VDM irritant is making huge impacts.
See Also: Bobrisky: VeryDarkMan Speaks; Falz, Falana and the EFCC Shiver
Most notable of these aftermaths was the lawsuit filed against him by Femi Falana and son. Haha! I perfectly understand the plight of the Falanas. They have to save face. If they didn’t file a lawsuit, they would have appeared as figures actively involved in subverting justice. However, this lawsuit lacks any form of merit. It just won’t stand in court. VDM merely played a phone conversation that implicated the Falanas. VDM wasn’t the one in the recordings. He was merely reacting to them. So, he isn’t the one who asked for a presidential pardon or a ‘VIP section’ in the so-called prison, Kirikiri. This looks, more than anything, like a case that will be settled out of court if you ask me.
Then, just yesterday, VDM, after being summoned by the National Assembly to answer questions of the Bobrisky corruption scandal, turned up in glitz and glamour like a national hero. He was even accompanied by a native doctor. Lmao. You know what that means? Never has any so-called influencer being perceived near important enough to be deemed worthy of a call-up to the National Assembly, but VDM did it and for good cause. Don’t you see what is going on? This is the very essence of my article’s topic—from chaos comes opportunity. VDM is milking this chaos to rise to very top of the social ladder and that ladder is holding firm for his ascension. Remarkable.
Strangely, Bobrisky, who, days ago, filed a very hilarious N1bn lawsuit against VDM, failed to honour the invite from the National Assembly. Lol. If your hands are clean, you would be the first at such an occasion, but, you shied away which sends a clear message to all—VDM is right and you are wrong. After all, action, they say, speaks louder than words.
I think any well-meaning Nigerian and thorough Journalist who knows his/her onions must look up to VDM as the standard. Only David Hundeyin and few handful are doing what he does. We need more VeryDarkMen if Nigeria is to defeat the scourge of bad leaders, corruption and other ills. VDM should be energized to do even more. His cause is, after all, a noble one.
If there’s anything VDM’s rise to the top has taught me, it is that, “chaos is an opportunity.” I will never forget that. All great man were baptized in fire before they ascended their throne. This is a template that works 9.5 out of 10. Chaos is, indeed, a ladder. I drop my pen.
