VeryDarkMan Storms NBA Conference in Port Harcourt, Clarifies Attendance

Social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has explained why he attended the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

VDM dismissed questions over why he was invited to an event attended by senior lawyers and prominent political figures.

He said he was invited to the conference to share his experiences on insecurity.

The social media activist spoke during a session at the conference, where he addressed the controversy surrounding his presence and explained that his participation was connected to the subject being discussed.

“First things first, if I can answer your question. There have been a lot of debates as to why I was invited again,” he said.

He added that some people had questioned his invitation because of his background and his public engagements, but insisted that he was at the conference to contribute to the discussion rather than teach lawyers about the law.

“You have many lawyers defending you, against you. I’m part of you. You should be on my side,” VDM said.

“So, there have been a lot of debates as to why VeryDarkMan is invited. I am not here to teach you the law. I am here to share an experience.”

According to him, those questioning his invitation may not have paid sufficient attention to the subject of the session.

“I’m pretty sure a lot of you who are debating did not look at the topic,” he said.

VDM explained that the discussion was focused on the security challenges facing Nigerians, rather than whether he personally needed legal representation.

“This is not the topic of whether I need my lawyer. Because a lot of your loved ones are being kidnapped,” he said.

He cited the reported abduction of a judge who was travelling from Sokoto as an example of the insecurity affecting Nigerians, saying the judge was eventually released after spending about a week in captivity.

“So, this is not whether I need my lawyer, because your loved ones are being kidnapped. On the 26th of July, a judge was coming from Sokoto, and he was kidnapped. And then they released him after one week,” he said.

VDM argued that his personal experiences in communities affected by violence made him relevant to the discussion.

He said he had visited several locations where killings, bomb attacks and other violent incidents occurred and had personally witnessed the impact of insecurity on victims.

“So, if we don’t discuss this topic, and if I don’t share my experience, it will not be me needing my lawyer. It will be you joining your personal lord and saviour,” he said.

He also spoke about his coverage of the Yelewata incident, saying he was among the first media personalities to visit the area after the killings.

According to him, conventional media organisations had become increasingly reluctant to cover some insecurity-related incidents, creating a gap that independent journalists and social media personalities had attempted to fill.

“Talking about Yelewata, I was the first respondent there. When the killing happened, our conventional media, like AIT, NTA and the rest, have become lazy, and they have become really scared,” he said.

“So, they don’t really cover what happens, the result of this insecurity, or rather, the result of these known and unknown gunmen. So, that’s why people like us will go there. And like I said, that is why I’m here.”

VDM also recalled visiting other locations affected by violence, including parts of Plateau State and Borno State, saying his experiences had exposed him to the realities faced by victims.

“I’ve seen people who have been affected by these known and unknown gunmen. I’ve seen blood. I’ve seen people burnt alive,” he said.

He subsequently said Fulani attackers were responsible for the Yelewata incident.

“Now, what happened in Yelewata is straightforward. I’ll be straightforward. It was the Fulanis that attacked the people in Yelewata,” he said.

“Why? It was a retaliation for the Yelewata people. I think they killed the Fulani boy and his cow, and these people came back.”

On Monday, Former Anambra State Governor and Nigerian Democratic Congress presidential candidate Peter Obi was also among the prominent figures who spoke at the conference.

Obi, during a session questioned the criteria for becoming Nigeria’s president and governor, arguing that many Nigerians were not familiar with the constitutional requirements for occupying the offices.

“What is our qualification to be president? None of you know. What is qualification to be president of Nigeria or governor? Nobody knows,” Obi said.

He was, however, reminded during the discussion that the requirements for contesting the offices are contained in the Nigerian Constitution.

The conference, which was themed “Politics, People, and Nigeria’s Future: Forget the Slogans,” provided a platform for discussions on democracy, governance, justice, leadership and the direction of the country ahead of the 2027 general election.

The gathering also witnessed a heated exchange between former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.

Amaechi, who represented African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar at the conference, was discussing his record as governor of Rivers State when Sowore interrupted him.

Amaechi responded by challenging Sowore to examine his record in the state.

“Where are Rivers lawyers, let them take Sowore around and show him what I did as a former Governor. Moreover, Sowore when politicians are talking, close your mouth,” Amaechi said.

Amaechi governed Rivers State for two terms from 2007 to 2015 after previously serving as Speaker of the state House of Assembly. He later served as Minister of Transportation under former President Muhammadu Buhari.