Martins Vincent Otse, widely recognized as the social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM), has issued a forceful response to a legal threat from the Nigerian Presidency. This development follows the widespread circulation on social media of a doctored video allegedly featuring VDM utilizing a fake, AI-generated audio clip of President Bola Tinubu. The controversial audio clip, mimicking President Tinubu’s voice, purportedly claimed that Nigeria's escalating insecurity would persist because citizens did not cast their votes for him in the 2023 presidential election.

Reacting swiftly to the viral content, President Bola Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, publicly declared that VDM would be made to face the full force of the law. However, VDM, a self-proclaimed online police officer, met this threat with defiance. He categorically stated that he would not defend the allegations or the video, asserting his readiness for the impending legal confrontation. He further emphasized his right to criticize the government when he perceives it to be acting wrongly, underscoring the principles of democracy.

In a subsequent video posted on his social media platforms, VeryDarkMan escalated his response, directly blasting presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. VDM described Onanuga as “stupid” and “daft,” vehemently reiterating his stance that he would not defend the controversial AI-generated clip. He challenged Onanuga and, by extension, the government, questioning their silence on critical national issues, particularly the worsening state of insecurity across the country.

VeryDarkMan specifically highlighted the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State, noting that one of the kidnapped teachers was allegedly beheaded. He pointed out that as of Children's Day, the abducted victims remained in captivity. VDM directly asked Bayo Onanuga about his comments regarding this grim situation, contrasting it with the swift response to the AI-generated video. He concluded by asserting that only