Popular Nigerian social media activist and outspoken critic, VeryDarkMan, has publicly called out his legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, over a social media post that he deemed cowardly and disappointing.
The drama began when Adeyanju, a well-known human rights lawyer and activist himself, took to X to issue a word of caution to VeryDarkMan (VDM), urging him to avoid unnecessary risks in his vocal activism. In his post, Adeyanju expressed concern over VDM’s frequent run-ins and bold stances, warning that should anything happen to him, the country would simply move on.
“I call VDM every time to be careful and stop taking unnecessary risks but he doesn’t listen most of the time. If anything happens to you today, everyone has moved on by tomorrow. We only overrate ourselves, Nigerians don’t rate anybody,” Adeyanju wrote.
The post instantly stirred conversation online, fueling speculations of a rift between the two men, who have worked closely in the past. Many were shocked that Adeyanju would make such a stark public remark about his own client.
In response, VeryDarkMan didn’t hold back. In a fiery Instagram video, he blasted his lawyer for what he termed “cowardly advice,” expressing deep disappointment and labeling such a statement as defeatist.
“First thing first, I’m really disappointed in my lawyer, Deji Adeyanju. 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 began.
Highlighting the inevitability of death and the impermanence of public memory, VDM argued that everyone, no matter how revered is eventually forgotten.
“It’s true that Nigerians will move on if anything happens to me today, but is there any one that will die and Nigeria will not move on? Jesus Christ died, the world moved on. The 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?” he said.
Then came the line that sparked intense reactions online: “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.”
According to VDM, such remarks are nothing more than scare tactics employed by political elites to silence dissenting voices. He reaffirmed his commitment to using his platform to speak the truth, even if it comes at great personal risk.
“Like I said, this na coward talk. I have the platform. 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,” he concluded.
The exchange has sparked a broader debate online about activism, self-preservation, and the responsibility of public figures to speak out despite the dangers they may face. While some agree with Adeyanju’s caution, others hailed VDM’s passionate stance as courageous and necessary in today’s socio-political climate.
