The South-South chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a one-week ultimatum to popular social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, demanding an apology for his recent remarks about Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In a statement released on Sunday by the South-South APC Zonal Organising Secretary, Blessing Agbomhere, the party cautioned VeryDarkMan to distinguish between activism and slander, warning him against targeting Akpabio in the future.
The party’s reaction follows a viral video where VeryDarkMan criticized Akpabio’s attendance at the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican last Saturday, labeling it ‘shameful.’
He argued that the Senate President should have been visiting states like Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu, where recent killings have occurred, rather than travelling abroad.
Agbomhere, however, defended Akpabio, stating that the Senate President was officially appointed by President Bola Tinubu to represent Nigeria at the funeral and did not act on personal accord.
He said, “VeryDarkMan is increasingly engaging in blackmail, slander, and character attacks while disguising as a voice for the masses. His verbal assault on the third highest-ranking official in Nigeria, who was duly assigned by the President to represent the nation, is unjustified. What wrong has Akpabio committed by fulfilling a national duty?”
Agbomhere further stressed that Akpabio’s selection for the Vatican trip was based on his integrity as a devout Catholic and a family man with a clean record, which made him a fitting representative at such a significant event.
He continued, “Through this statement, we are giving VeryDarkMan one week to issue an unconditional apology to Senator Akpabio for his defamatory remarks. He must also refrain from actions that could tarnish the image of the Tinubu administration globally.”
Additionally, Agbomhere urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as the ‘uninformed outbursts’ of VeryDarkMan, asserting that the government is actively working to address the country’s security challenges, inherited from previous administrations.
“After returning from his foreign trip, President Tinubu met with security chiefs and directed a renewed strategy in tackling insecurity. Clearly, this is not the action of a leader who is unserious about safeguarding lives and properties,” he added.
Agbomhere emphasized that resolving the complex security issues facing Nigeria will require time and persistent effort, a commitment the Tinubu administration is determined to uphold.
%20has%20issued%20a%20one-week%20ultimatum%20to%20popular%20social%20media%20personality%20Martins%20Vincent%20Otse,%20widely%20known%20as%20VeryDarkMan,%20demanding%20an%20apology%20for%20his%20recent%20remarks%20about%20Senate%20President%20Godswill%20Akpabio.){kind=link}