Popular social media commentator and activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has stirred fresh political conversations online after openly expressing disappointment in former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, over decisions made during the 2023 presidential election crisis.
In a viral video currently making rounds across social media platforms, VDM claimed that many Nigerians, especially young supporters of the Obidient movement, were fully prepared to protest when they believed the election process was being manipulated against Peter Obi.
According to him, the atmosphere at the time was charged with anger and frustration, with many supporters convinced that the election outcome did not reflect the will of the people.
However, VDM said the momentum suddenly died when Peter Obi publicly urged his supporters to remain calm and pursue legal channels instead of protests or confrontation.
“In 2023, when the election was going on, and we realized they wanted to rig it and wouldn’t announce Peter Obi as the winner, we sparked a protest. From nowhere, Obi said he wants to go to court and that we shouldn’t continue any protest. I have never been that disappointed in my life,” VDM stated.
The social commentator argued that Obi’s decision to rely solely on the judiciary weakened the energy of the Obidient movement, especially among young Nigerians who were emotionally invested in the campaign and expected stronger resistance.
According to him, many supporters interpreted Obi’s calm approach as a sign that he was unwilling to fully fight for the mandate they believed he had won.
“People were ready to fight for you, but you weren’t ready to fight for yourself. The movement crumbled because a lot of people were disappointed,” he added.
VDM further suggested that the disappointment from that period explains why many young Nigerians have become politically discouraged or less emotionally attached to opposition politics today.
The comments have generated mixed reactions online.
While some social media users agreed with VDM’s position, arguing that the opposition failed to sustain the momentum after the election, others defended Peter Obi’s decision to pursue legal action rather than encourage civil unrest.
Several supporters of Obi also argued that encouraging protests at such a tense political moment could have escalated violence across parts of the country.
The remarks also come amid renewed political tensions in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 elections, with growing debates around opposition coalitions, youth participation, and public trust in the electoral process.
VDM additionally addressed criticism surrounding his refusal to participate in a recent protest allegedly linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Clarifying his stance, he insisted that his refusal to join the demonstration does not automatically mean he supports President Bola Ahmed Tinubu or the current administration.
According to him, Nigerians should stop assuming that every criticism of opposition politicians automatically translates into support for the ruling government.
As expected, the video has continued to trend online, with political supporters from different camps debating whether Peter Obi made the right decision in 2023 or whether the Obidient movement lost momentum because it failed to sustain pressure after the election results were announced.
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