ABUJA, Nigeria — Social media critic and activist, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has publicly criticised his legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, over comments urging him to avoid “unnecessary” risks, describing the remarks as “cowardly” and “disappointing.”
Adeyanju, a prominent human rights lawyer and activist, had recently expressed concern for VeryDarkMan’s safety, warning that if harm were to come to him, the Nigerian public would quickly move on.
His cautionary tone, however, was met with a strong rebuttal from his client, who responded in a widely circulated video on social media.
“First thing first, I’m really disappointed in my lawyer, Deji Adeyanju,” VeryDarkMan said.
“I’m so disappointed in you for this post, especially because you are a comrade. If it was an ordinary Nigerian that said this thing, I would have assumed they don’t know better.”
He continued: “It’s true that Nigerians will move on if anything happens to me today, but is there anyone that will die and Nigeria will not move on? Jesus Christ died, the world moved on. Catholic Pope died, the world moved on and a new Pope was installed. Buhari died, the world has moved on. Who do you think is special, you?”
Adeyanju’s original warning, posted online, had urged the outspoken critic to weigh the risks associated with his activism, noting that “everyone will move on” in the event of tragedy.
The post was interpreted by many as a pragmatic caution, but VeryDarkMan rejected the sentiment as emblematic of a broader culture of fear and submission.
“Ultimately, anybody wey open his mouth talk that thing is a coward. I swear to God, any human for this country wey open his [mouth] to say Nigeria will move on if you die is a coward,” he said.
“And trust me, that is a word those politicians have put out there to scare people from talking.”
The activist maintained that fear should not prevent individuals from standing up for what they believe in.
“Life is fragile and unpredictable,” he said.
“It is essential to stand up for what one believes in, rather than being swayed by fear.”
Referring to violence in parts of the country, he added: “Some people self wey no dey take risks, them they come kill them for their house. Look at what happened in Benue, Borno, Taraba, Delta State, Enugu. You think you are important? We are all nothing. You add so much importance to your life when you are nothing.”
