Nigerian social commentator and online activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman, has publicly denied receiving any financial support from award-winning Afrobeats singer, David Adeleke, widely known as Davido.
The activist made the statement in a new video that has sparked a heated wave of reactions across social media platforms.
The saga stems from a 2023 encounter where Verydarkman visited Lagos and linked up with Davido. At the time, viral clips showed him arriving in a private jet and checking into what many believed was a luxury hotel provided by the singer. The public narrative widely assumed that Davido had sponsored the entire trip as a show of support for the outspoken activist.
However, in a new video published via his social media handles, Verydarkman set the record straight, denying ever receiving a dime from the music star and calling the public assumptions “entertainment optics.”
Verydarkman insists he was never a beneficiary of Davido’s philanthropy. According to him, the entire trip — including the flight, accommodation, and logistics — was personally funded.
“Anytime I talk about Davido people go say, ‘After all Davido has done for you. Davido flew you to Lagos. Davido has contributed to your NGO.’ The time I go to Lagos to go see Davido, na me pay my flight ticket. The hotel wey dem say Davido lodge me, na me pay for the hotel,” Verydarkman stated.
He further clarified that he allowed the public narrative to circulate unchallenged at the time for media appeal. “But for entertainment purpose, we just leave am like that,” he added.
VDM said the situation has now become unbearable as the false story is often weaponized against him online, especially when he criticizes or analyzes issues involving the singer.
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His statement has since caused a stir online, with fans of Davido accusing him of ungratefulness and clout-chasing.
Others have come to his defense, stating that he is entitled to correct misinformation regardless of the public’s attachment to celebrity generosity narratives.
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