NCSCN Condemns VeryDarkMan for Involving Seyi Tinubu in Online Feud, Demands Sanctions
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has issued a strong condemnation of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, for his involvement in dragging Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, into a highly publicized online dispute with content creator Mitchelle Mukoro, popularly referred to as King Mitchy. The Council made this position clear during a press conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, emphasizing that the situation has escalated to a dangerous level for social media engagement across Nigeria.
Council Criticizes Escalation of Personal Dispute
During the press conference, Blessing Akinlosotu, the Executive Director of NCSCN, explained that the Council's thorough investigation revealed that VeryDarkMan was primarily responsible for escalating what began as a personal disagreement into a broader controversy by unnecessarily involving Seyi Tinubu's name. Akinlosotu stated, "In our collective opinion, the VeryDarkMan completely erred in dragging Seyi Tinubu's name into the matter as he did. He was the one initiating the crisis here, for reasons best known to him." The dispute originated after King Mitchy disclosed that her humanitarian projects had received substantial financial support, amounting to millions of naira, from Seyi Tinubu. VeryDarkMan later criticized this donation, questioning the underlying motives behind it.
NCSCN Defends Humanitarian Donations and Condemns Harmful Behavior
The Council emphasized that financial donations to humanitarian causes are a common practice worldwide and should not be politicized or subjected to undue scrutiny. Akinlosotu highlighted, "As a non-partisan special interest group, the Council finds no fault in financial donations made by anyone, whether governmental or non-governmental, to King Mitchy or VeryDarkMan. Why the undue emphasis on Seyi Tinubu? What is wrong with a businessman or the son of a President supporting a humanitarian cause?" NCSCN noted that other prominent Nigerians, including entertainment figures like Don Jazzy, have supported charitable initiatives without facing similar backlash, underscoring the inconsistency in the criticism.
Beyond the donation issue, NCSCN expressed deep concern over viral videos that show King Mitchy allegedly consuming a poisonous substance, hypo, with VeryDarkMan responding in a similar manner. The Council warned that such actions promote harmful behavior and set a dangerous precedent for social media users, particularly young audiences who might emulate these acts.
Call for Public Apologies and Regulatory Sanctions
In response to these developments, NCSCN has called on both VeryDarkMan and King Mitchy to issue public apologies for their roles in promoting harmful content and using vulgar language during the feud. Additionally, the Council urged regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), to impose strong sanctions on both parties as a deterrent against future misconduct. Akinlosotu asserted, "There must be strong sanctions, and some persons must be made scapegoats as a way of deterrence." This move aims to curb the spread of toxic online behavior and ensure accountability among content creators.
Public Reactions and Broader Implications
The statement from NCSCN has sparked varied reactions from netizens, with some supporting the call for sanctions and others questioning the Council's priorities. For instance, one user commented, "What's all this, they are treating VDM like a dignified figure in the society. He should be behind bars by now," while another noted, "Honestly, both of them were wrong, especially for publicly displaying the drinking of harmful substances. That kind of example sends the wrong message. VDM and Mitchy owe Nigerians an apology." These responses highlight the polarized views on the matter and the broader implications for social media regulation in Nigeria.
In a related development, Hypo Bleach, the household brand, issued a public statement cautioning Nigerians against the dangerous trend of consuming its product, which is strictly formulated for cleaning purposes and not for human consumption or social media theatrics. This warning underscores the real-world risks associated with the online feud and the need for responsible content creation.
The NCSCN's intervention marks a significant step in addressing the growing concerns over social media conduct in Nigeria, calling for a balance between free expression and ethical responsibility. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how regulatory bodies will respond and whether VeryDarkMan and King Mitchy will comply with the demands for apologies and sanctions.
