Nigerian social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has responded sharply to threats of prosecution from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga over a viral AI-generated audio clip allegedly mimicking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s voice. The incident, which sparked national attention on May 27, 2024, centers on a fake audio clip circulating online that claimed insecurity in Nigeria would persist because the president was not legitimately elected in 2023. Onanuga, speaking on behalf of the presidency, warned that those responsible for spreading the clip could face legal action, emphasizing that the government would not tolerate misinformation that undermines national stability.
VeryDarkMan, in a defiant video posted on Instagram later that same day, dismissed the allegations and launched a scathing critique of Onanuga’s competence and relevance. He called the presidential spokesperson “a very stupid old man,” stating that his words reflected the broader failure of the administration to address pressing national issues. The critic argued that the government’s focus on prosecuting him for a fabricated audio clip was a distraction from more urgent problems, particularly the rising tide of insecurity across the country.
He specifically highlighted the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, where armed bandits stormed a school and took hostages, including a teacher carrying an infant. Reports later confirmed that one teacher had been killed, while others remained in captivity — even on Children’s Day. VeryDarkMan questioned why the presidency remained silent on such a grave incident while reacting aggressively to the AI-generated audio, which he claimed only “stupid people” would believe.
In his video, he urged President Tinubu not to seek re-election in 2027, citing the lack of critical thinking among his top aides. He accused the administration of prioritizing image over action, using threats against critics to divert public attention from real crises. VeryDarkMan insisted that the true threat to Nigeria is not fake audio clips, but the unchecked insecurity that continues to affect innocent citizens, especially in rural and vulnerable communities.
The exchange has reignited debates about freedom of expression, the use of AI in political discourse, and the government’s approach to handling dissent. As the controversy unfolds, many Nigerians are watching closely to see how authorities will respond to online criticism and whether the focus will shift back to addressing the country’s security challenges. The incident underscores the growing tension between digital activism and state authority in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
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