Presidency aide Bayo Onanuga has demanded legal action against social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over a viral audio allegedly linked to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The audio, which Onanuga described as fake, warns Nigerians against supporting Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027.
Onanuga Calls for Prosecution
Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, made the call on Wednesday, May 27, in a post on X. He accused VDM of spreading false content and urged that he face the weight of the law. The reaction came after an X user, Aneex, questioned why some people believed the voice in the trending audio was actually Tinubu.
In his post, Onanuga wrote: "This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform."
Background of the Controversy
The viral clip shared by VDM features an alleged recording of Tinubu cautioning Nigerians against supporting his re-election ambition ahead of the 2027 general election. The clip has sparked widespread debate, with many accusing VDM of fabricating the audio to stir emotions, particularly among Igbos, whom Aneex described as highly emotional people.
Aneex had earlier posted: "How do you really convince someone who has already decided and believes in their mind that this is actually Asiwaju's voice? What kind of cheap propaganda is this? VDM knows that Ibos are highly emotional people, and that's why he enjoys riding on their emotions."
Public Reactions
Nigerians have reacted strongly to the call for VDM's sanction. Some users expressed frustration over the administration's handling of such incidents.
- @Jamesbisodun wrote: "If the DSS can't bring VDM and GRV Stan to justice over this, Nigerians should forget about Tinubu fighting corruption or tackling insecurity. Enough of this nonsense. You can't fabricate the President's voice note, spread it like wildfire, and still roam free at home."
- @Sistaliano commented: "How many times have we talked about this? I have never seen any administration tolerate this level of nonsense from clowns and clout chasers the way Tinubu's administration is doing. Even Buhari's government did not condone half of what is happening today."
- @mo_elite_person opined: "VDM actually knows what he's doing. He has casted, so he is looking for every means to stay relevant. And moreover, he's also doing the job given to him by the president's opposition. He lost his credibility long ago, cos he allowed greed to overshadow him."
Previous Denials by Presidency
This is not the first time the presidency has dismissed viral claims. Previously, the presidency denied allegations that President Tinubu planned to change Nigeria's name and abolish Sharia law. Onanuga had urged Nigerians to disregard such reports, describing them as fabricated to create political tension ahead of the 2027 elections.
The call for legal action against VDM underscores the administration's stance against the spread of disinformation, particularly as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
