Phyna Explodes at Troll Who Dragged Her for Shunning VeryDarkMan’s Edo Protest

Big Brother Naija season 7 winner and reality TV star, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has once again proven that she is not one to shy away from confrontation when a follower came for her over her absence at a protest led by popular activist VeryDarkMan in Edo State. The outspoken star, who has over time built a reputation for addressing critics head-on without mincing words, went off in a fiery clapback that has since gone viral across social media platforms.

The incident began when an Instagram user identified as @oho_official took to her comment section to attack her, accusing her of hypocrisy for failing to show up at the ongoing Edo protest organized by VeryDarkMan, a controversial internet activist known for his fearless campaigns against corruption, injustice, and societal ills. According to the critic, Phyna had in the past aligned herself with the activist, echoing his voice and leveraging on his popularity to emphasize her own grievances. But now that he had brought his agitation to her home state of Edo, they claimed her absence at the protest was both cowardly and disappointing.

The critic wrote, “VDM dey Edo State dey protest, nobody see you. This girl you are so unbelievable. You were crying here and because of VDM men you added voice, now VDM is in Edo State, your face is nowhere. You just be very foolish.”

That single jab seemed to have touched a nerve because Phyna wasted no time firing back with a response that left her fans buzzing. In an emotional yet aggressive rant, she lashed out at the troll, making it clear that her life priorities would never be dictated by random strangers on the internet who have no idea what she goes through in her personal battles. Phyna explained that her decision not to attend the protest was not born out of fear or indifference but because she had pressing family matters to deal with, particularly concerning her sister. According to her, abandoning her sister to go for a protest was not a decision she was willing to take, regardless of the pressure.

She fumed, “I should leave my sister and leave the justices I’m seeking to go protest in Auchi? May Dangote your family. You go die die like goat wey trailer jam. If them see half of your body for that accident make I know why.”

Her choice of words, though extremely harsh and shocking, reflected just how angry she was at being attacked unfairly. The intensity of her comeback not only silenced the critic but also set off a ripple effect online, with fans and social media users quickly taking sides. Some applauded her for standing up for herself and refusing to be bullied into activism, while others condemned her for resorting to curses and death wishes in her reply.

Phyna eventually blocked the critic, ensuring they would no longer have access to her posts, but not before screenshots of the heated exchange made it to blogs and gossip pages. The confrontation has since sparked intense debate on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, with people questioning whether celebrities should be expected to physically show up for every protest or social movement, especially when their personal lives might be demanding otherwise.

For many of her loyal fans, Phyna’s point was valid. They argued that activism takes different forms, and just because she did not appear at the protest grounds did not mean she was not supportive of the cause. Some even pointed out that she has consistently used her platform to speak out against injustice, harassment, and unfair treatment since leaving the BBNaija house, and therefore her absence should not be seen as a betrayal.

Others, however, felt her outburst was unnecessary and too aggressive for a public figure who should be setting an example. They believed she could have made her point without resorting to curses and insults, especially since trolls thrive on reactions and the attention she gave her critic only amplified the situation. But in true Phyna fashion, the star is not known for diplomacy when she feels wronged; she has repeatedly stated that she would rather be blunt and unapologetically herself than conform to society’s expectation of fake humility.

Interestingly, this is not the first time Phyna is being dragged into conversations involving VeryDarkMan. Earlier this year, she had openly supported the activist when he was being hounded by authorities over his controversial statements, even going as far as joining the chorus of Nigerians demanding his release. Her association with him has been interpreted in different ways—some see it as solidarity while others see it as clout-chasing. This explains why her critics were quick to seize on her absence at the Edo protest as proof that her support might not have been as genuine as it seemed.

Nevertheless, Phyna’s clapback shows she is unwilling to be pressured into being the face of activism. She has her own struggles, and like she hinted in her reply, her family comes first. Those who follow her closely know she has, on several occasions, spoken about the weight of family responsibilities on her shoulders since rising to fame, often sharing glimpses of her sacrifices for her loved ones.

This latest controversy has also raised bigger questions about the role of celebrities in protests and activism in Nigeria. Should they always be at the forefront of demonstrations simply because they have influence? Or is it enough for them to lend their voices online and support from a distance? For someone like Phyna, who already deals with constant scrutiny and criticism for every move she makes, the expectation of physical presence at a protest might be too much.

While the dust is yet to settle, one thing is certain: Phyna has once again reminded everyone why she remains one of the most talked-about BBNaija winners. Her raw authenticity, her refusal to bow to online trolls, and her fiery personality continue to make her both loved and criticized in equal measure. Whether one agrees with her style or not, her name never leaves the headlines for long.

As for the Edo protest led by VeryDarkMan, it continues to draw attention both online and offline, but the spotlight has now partly shifted to Phyna, who has inadvertently become part of the conversation without stepping foot at the demonstration. Love her or hate her, she knows how to command attention, and in the ever-dramatic world of Nigerian reality TV alumni, that in itself is a survival skill.