Nigerian music superstar Davido has once again found himself at the center of a social media storm after publicly supporting controversial activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) outside a GTBank branch in Abuja.
Read also: Activist VeryDarkMan Reportedly Arrested by EFCC Amid Bank Dispute and Public Outrage
The arrest, which has ignited widespread outrage, has also drawn attention to Davido’s advocacy efforts, though not without a fair share of criticism from fans and detractors alike. In a heartfelt post on X on the 4th of May, Davido expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support VDM has received, writing,
Outside all the noise it’s good to see that the good one does actually impacts lives and Pple actually appreciate! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging.. makes one want to do more for the masses ❤️ FREE MY GUY
— Davido (@davido) May 4, 2025
“Outside all the noise, it’s good to see that the good one does actually impacts lives and Pple actually appreciate! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging.. makes one want to do more for the masses FREE MY GUY.”
However, the arrest of VeryDarkMan, known for his outspoken critiques of societal issues, has sparked a broader controversy. Reports suggest that GTBank may have played a role in revealing VDM’s location, leading to accusations of an unlawful setup.
This has fueled a massive backlash, with over 100,000 Nigerians reportedly closing their GTBank accounts in protest, according to a post by VDM’s younger brother on May 3rd. The drama escalated when CCTV footage released by GTBank showed that the arrest took place outside their premises, further muddying the waters.
Read also: GTBank Faces Backlash After Allegedly Deducting VeryDarkMan’s Mother’s Salary Over NIN-Linked Loan
Davido’s support for VDM drew a mixed bag of reactions. While some fans praised him as a “good person” and “idol,” others were less impressed. A fan called out the Afrobeats star for not addressing allegations of streaming fraud on Spotify, a sore point for many fans.
The controversy surrounding Davido’s post highlights the complex intersection of celebrity influence, social activism, and public scrutiny in Nigeria’s entertainment landscape. As the #FreeVDM movement gains momentum, all eyes are on how Davido navigates this latest chapter of advocacy amidst the swirling debates.
