The President of the Arewa Youths Forum, Abdul Danbature, has appealed for calm over the ongoing dispute between social media personalities Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and businessman Linus Williams, widely known as Blord.
Danbature cautioned against giving the disagreement an ethnic colour, warning that any attack on VDM by individuals from the South-East would be viewed as an attack on northern youths.
The youth leader made the remarks in a statement reacting to rising tensions on social media following a recent public fallout between the two internet figures.
“My name is Abdul Danbature, the President of Arewa Youths. I’m here to draw the attention of BLord over the issue he has with VDM,” he said.
“Any Igbo attack on VDM is an attack to the entire Northern Nigerian youth. VeryDarkMan and BLord might have their personal differences, but we won’t allow anybody to take it personal.”
The rift between VDM and Blord has played out publicly in recent weeks after allegations and counter-allegations over business practices and online criticism.
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VDM, known for his outspoken social media activism, had accused Blord of questionable dealings in his financial technology businesses.
Blord, a cryptocurrency entrepreneur from the South-East, dismissed the claims and threatened legal action, leading to heated exchanges between their supporters online.
As the argument intensified, some followers began framing the dispute along ethnic lines, prompting concerns from community leaders.
Danbature urged youths in the South-East not to interpret the matter as an ethnic conflict, stressing that the disagreement remained strictly personal between the two individuals.
“My brothers from the southeast should not take it as a problem. VDM does not have any problem with the Igbos,” he said.
He further explained that the northern youth community felt compelled to speak out because of VDM’s long-standing ties to the region.
“The reason we’re talking about it is because VDM is one of us. He grew up and is based in the North. So please stop the attack, stop the Igbo attack on VeryDarkMan. We won’t allow it to continue,” Danbature added.
