Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), is a social media activist who has responded to comments made by Daniel Bwala, who is the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication. These comments were made during an interview that was broadcast on Channels Television. Bwala caused a stir when he made a comparison between the empathy of VDM and that of Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate. He asserted that Obi exhibited greater compassion by travelling to Yelewata, Benue State, following a deadly attack in June.
Bwala criticised Obi for not visiting the community, which was the location of the deaths of over one hundred people who were believed to have been herdsmen. Bwala referred to Obi as a “internally displaced politician” who lacked empathy. Not even Peter Obi can compare to VeryDarkMan’s level of empathy. Despite the fact that he is not a politician, he was in Benue. It is not clear why Obi is required to wait until he is elected president. Through the use of leadership priorities and constitutional delegation to officials such as the National Security Agency and the military, Bwala defended Tinubu’s absence from the meeting.
VDM responded to the comparison by expressing surprise in a video that was uploaded to X on July 8, 2025. He also questioned Bwala’s accuracy in his role as a presidential aide. The statement that VDM made was, “I don’t know why he needed to compare me to Peter Obi.” It is concerning that you have not been able to collect accurate information in your role as the Special Adviser to President Tinubu. Regarding the president, what exactly are you advising him on? It was emphasised by him that his trip to Benue was not motivated by political considerations but rather by a personal commitment to bring attention to the plight of the victims.
