VeryDarkMan (Martins Ortse) Denies Alleged Threat Against Minister Nyesom Wike Over Land Dispute
Social media commentator and activist Martins Ortse, widely known by his online alias VeryDarkMan (VDM), has strongly rejected claims that he threatened the life of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The allegations surfaced in the wake of a land dispute involving the family of the late Colonel Paul Osakpamwan Ogbebor, with accusations suggesting that VDM had made violent threats following Wike’s decision to revoke the property in question.
The controversy began when a video circulated online, purporting to show Wike’s revocation of a property allocated to the Ogbebor family in 1981. The dispute over the land, which was a legacy of Colonel Ogbebor, a respected war veteran and the first cadet of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), sparked significant public interest. Shortly after the video gained traction, a WhatsApp broadcast message surfaced, alleging that VeryDarkMan had issued a direct threat to the life of the Minister over the land revocation.
Responding to the accusations, VDM swiftly took to Instagram to publicly address the claims, vehemently denying any involvement in threatening Wike or any other individual. In a clear and firm statement, he clarified, “I did not threaten Nyesom Wike’s life. I am not associated with the WhatsApp broadcast making the rounds. These allegations are completely false.”
VeryDarkMan explained that his intention throughout the entire episode was to advocate for justice and fairness, specifically requesting that Minister Wike reconsider his decision to revoke the land by reviewing the official documents provided by the Ogbebor family. VDM made it clear that he had no interest in engaging in violence, emphasizing his commitment to peaceful advocacy. “What I did was appeal to the minister to look into the land documents presented by the sons and family of the late Colonel Paul Osakpamwan Ogbebor. These documents, which have been in the family for decades, are authentic and legally binding,” he said.
Further explaining the misunderstanding, VDM revealed that his original video had been tampered with by an unknown party. According to him, someone edited his video and added a misleading caption, making it appear as though he was threatening the Minister’s life. “There is this particular video I posted on WhatsApp regarding the land that Wike revoked. Someone edited that video and added a new caption that distorted its meaning and made it seem like I had threatened Wike’s life,” he explained. “I want to make it very clear that I am not associated with these malicious claims. It’s not in my character, nor is it in my nature, to threaten anyone, especially not a public official.”
VDM’s denial was not limited to his personal involvement; he also took the opportunity to explain the core of his advocacy. “What I stand for, and what I have always stood for, is justice. I use my platform to speak up for those who are oppressed and to ensure that the law is followed, especially in cases where people have a genuine claim,” he remarked. “In this instance, the Ogbebor family is the rightful owner of the land, and all I’ve asked is for Minister Wike to reconsider the revocation and examine the supporting documents. There is no need for threats—just a fair review of the facts.”
In a further clarification, VDM reiterated his belief in peaceful and legal means of resolving disputes, stressing that his activism has always focused on advocating for those who are wronged by the system. “I have never in my life threatened anyone. My work on social media has always been about justice, not intimidation or violence. So, it is bewildering that anyone would think I would threaten Wike or anyone else,” he said.
VeryDarkMan closed his statement by reiterating his commitment to advocating for fairness and transparency. “The only thing I did in that video was ask Minister Wike to take another look at the land documents presented by the Ogbebor family. They have the rightful claim to that land, and that is all I’ve ever asked for. It’s about fairness, not threats.”
The incident has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with many followers of VeryDarkMan expressing their support for his stance on justice. Despite the negative publicity, VDM remains resolute in his mission to use his platform for social justice, emphasizing that he will continue to advocate for the oppressed and seek legal resolutions to disputes, without resorting to threats or violence.
