Nigerian social media activist VeryDarkMan has categorically denied any involvement in partisan politics following a direct call from the Department of State Services. In a statement shared online, the popular activist addressed rumours that linked him to the African Democratic Congress and a supposed plan to organise protests that could destabilise the country.
According to VeryDarkMan, a DSS official contacted him that morning to question reports claiming he had been hired by the ADC to lead demonstrations targeting the Independent National Electoral Commission and the ruling All Progressives Congress. He dismissed the allegations outright and used the opportunity to clarify his position on political parties and celebrity involvement in governance.
“First things first, I’m not partisan and I’m not supporting ADC anywhere, I don’t care who’s there and who’s running and I’m not planning any protest. I also don’t support APC or PDP.”
VeryDarkMan expressed strong opposition to the practice of celebrities publicly aligning with political parties, insisting that Nigerians should form their own opinions based on personal experiences rather than external persuasion.
“I’m even against celebrities flagging up with the parties. If Nigerians need somebody to convince them to vote for somebody then Nigerians are not ready. Nigerians, if you need celebrities to tell you who to vote for or not vote for, then you people are not ready.”
The activist described his own role as that of an independent voice for ordinary citizens, referring to himself as the “4th arm of government” focused exclusively on matters that affect daily life, especially security.
He pulled no punches in assessing the current administration’s performance under President Bola Tinubu, pointing to what he sees as a sharp decline in national security compared with previous leadership.
“At the end of the day it’s Tinubu regime that’s the worst when it comes to security of this country but he’s the one that led protest against Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 saying Jonathan is not capable of running the country, it got to his turn and he’s failing woefully. People are dying! They’re abandoning their homes.”
Despite his frank criticism, he made it clear that he has no plans to organise or encourage protests aimed at removing the president.
“In my own view, Tinubu should not be the president of this country anymore… but I’m not going to go about trying to convince people against him but for me, Tinubu took Nigeria from bad to worse.”
The statement arrives amid broader political tensions in Nigeria, including recent disputes involving the African Democratic Congress, calls for changes at the Independent National Electoral Commission, and heightened sensitivity around public demonstrations.
For now, VeryDarkMan says he will continue speaking out on problems that matter to everyday Nigerians without crossing into organised political activity.