APC Issues 7-Day Apology Deadline To VeryDarkMan For Criticising Akpabio’s Vatican Trip For Pope’s Burial

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern ultimatum to social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, demanding a public apology within seven days for his critical remarks about Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The controversy stems from Akpabio's recent trip to the Vatican to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.

VeryDarkMan, a vocal activist, publicly condemned the Senate President’s decision to travel abroad during a time when Nigeria is grappling with severe insecurity, including widespread killings in states like Benue, Plateau, Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu.

In a viral video that sparked heated debates, VeryDarkMan argued that Akpabio’s presence at the Pope’s funeral was inappropriate, given the escalating violence in Nigeria.

He suggested that the Senate President should have prioritized visiting the affected communities to offer condolences and support rather than traveling to Rome.

The activist’s comments struck a nerve with the APC, particularly its South-South Zonal chapter, which swiftly responded with a statement condemning VeryDarkMan’s remarks as slanderous and disrespectful to Akpabio, the third-highest-ranking official in Nigeria.

The APC’s Zonal Organizing Secretary, Blessing Agbomhere, emphasized that Akpabio did not travel to the Vatican on his own accord but was nominated by President Bola Tinubu to lead a five-member delegation representing Nigeria.

The delegation included notable figures such as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu, and several prominent Catholic leaders.

Agbomhere defended the trip, arguing that it was a diplomatic responsibility, not a personal choice, and accused VeryDarkMan of using the situation to tarnish the image of both Akpabio and the Tinubu administration.

Public reactions to the APC’s ultimatum have been mixed, as seen in various responses on X. Some users, like @Princeujay, criticized the APC for focusing on VeryDarkMan while ignoring pressing issues like the violence perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen, which has claimed numerous lives across the country.

Others, such as @ikenga_, questioned when the APC would apologize for its own failures in addressing Nigeria’s broader challenges, including economic hardship and insecurity.

Meanwhile, @drkenon2 sarcastically remarked on Akpabio’s emotional display at the Vatican, questioning the activist’s critique.

This incident underscores the deep frustration many Nigerians feel amid ongoing security crises, with reports indicating that over 4,000 people were killed in communal violence in 2024 alone, according to the International Crisis Group.

The clash between VeryDarkMan and the APC highlights the tension between public expectations of leadership and the government’s actions during a time of national distress.