Nigeria's Civil Society Council Warns Over VDM and King Mitchy Social Media Feud
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has issued a formal statement expressing deep concern regarding the escalating social media controversy involving prominent content creators Very Dark Man (VDM) and Mitchelle Mukoro, widely known as King Mitchy. The council, based in Abuja, emphasized that this dispute extends beyond a mere personal disagreement, carrying significant social and political implications that demand public attention.
Council Faults Escalation of Dispute
According to the NCSCN, the conflict intensified after King Mitchy disclosed that her humanitarian initiatives had received financial backing from Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In response, VDM launched a series of online videos criticizing both King Mitchy and Seyi Tinubu, with particular focus on questioning the donations and the donor's identity. The council stated, "In our collective opinion, the Very Dark Man completely erred in dragging Seyi's name into the matter as he did and was the one initiating crisis here, for reasons best known to him." It noted that while donations to activists are commonplace, the controversy has shifted undue attention to the donor rather than the charitable act itself.
Concern Over Harmful Online Content
The NCSCN raised alarms about videos circulating online where both parties are allegedly seen consuming harmful substances. The council warned that such content poses severe risks, particularly to young and impressionable audiences, describing it as "totally anti-social, damaging to mental health and promoting suicide." It labeled this development as deeply troubling and urged content creators to adopt greater caution and responsibility in their public engagements to prevent negative societal impacts.
Defence of Charitable Donations
On the issue of financial support, the council defended the legitimacy of donations to humanitarian causes, provided they are lawful and well-intentioned. It asserted, "As a non-partisan Special Interest Group, the Council finds no fault in financial donation made by anyone, whether Governmental or Non-Governmental, to King Mitchy or Very Dark Man." The NCSCN outright condemned VDM's reaction to Seyi Tinubu's donation, stressing that philanthropic efforts should be encouraged rather than discouraged in society.
Call for Restraint and Possible Apology
The council advised both VDM and King Mitchy to demonstrate increased maturity and professionalism in handling their public disagreements. Specifically, it admonished VDM to exercise restraint and objectivity, suggesting that if he is "truly of character," he should issue a public apology for using vulgar language and creating toxic content. Similarly, King Mitchy was urged to reconsider her approach and apologize to Nigerians for any inappropriate content shared during the dispute.
Appeal to Regulators
In its concluding remarks, the NCSCN called on regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation to enhance their monitoring of online content. The statement emphasized the need for "strong sanctions" and making examples of offenders to deter similar behavior in the future, highlighting the urgency of addressing harmful digital media practices.
