US-Based Writer Ogbonnaya Accuses Verydarkman Of Exploiting Igbos For Clout And Personal Gain Amid China Fallout

 

Controversy continues to trail social media activist, Verydarkman, as US-based Nigerian writer and commentator, Maazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, has accused him of using Igbos as scapegoats to cover up what he described as failed personal ambitions and shady business interests. Ogbonnaya’s remarks followed the recent outburst by Verydarkman against the Igbo ethnic group after his public fallout with a Chinese businessman named Ross.

The conflict began shortly after Verydarkman, popularly known for his online activism and outspoken criticism of Nigerian social issues, made a social media post accusing some Igbos of fighting a “hidden tribal war” against him. In his words, “Dear some Igbos, this hidden war you want to fight with me all in the name of tribalism, it won’t end in your favour. Na me get this media. Na me get the truth. I own the game. Ratel movement.” The statement sparked outrage across various social platforms, with many Igbos calling out the influencer for making blanket statements that appeared divisive and insensitive.

Reacting to the incident, Maazi Ogbonnaya Okoro described Verydarkman’s comments as manipulative and a calculated attempt to divert attention from his failed business dealings with a Chinese company. The writer accused the activist of using ethnic narratives to protect his personal image and shift public focus away from controversies surrounding his alleged contract termination with the said company.

Ogbonnaya, who is known for his unapologetic commentaries on issues of ethnic politics and cultural identity, argued that Verydarkman has been using the Igbo community as a tool for clout. He emphasized that such manipulation is not new, claiming that figures like Reno Omokri and Femi Fani-Kayode once played similar games by pretending to support the Igbos only to later abandon them. According to him, this recurring pattern reflects a deep psychological and political manipulation targeted at a group that often seeks validation from outsiders.

He further alleged that Verydarkman’s so-called activism was only a front for business deals with foreign interests. The writer accused him of collaborating with a Chinese firm under the guise of helping Nigerians access cheaper goods while undermining local importers, many of whom are Igbo. “He started by attacking businesses of our people, telling the public that importers are ripping them off. Yet he had already signed a deal to represent a Chinese company. That is pure manipulation,” Ogbonnaya stated.

The writer went on to question the authenticity of Verydarkman’s oft-repeated claims of integrity and transparency. He claimed that while the influencer boasted about not collecting donations from followers, he failed to account for the large sums reportedly raised for his non-governmental organization. Ogbonnaya asserted that the focus has now quietly shifted from the NGO to his new Chinese business links, indicating a pattern of diversion and distraction.

Critics have also joined the debate, noting that the controversy has exposed the vulnerability of social media activism in Nigeria, where influencers often mix advocacy with personal profit. Ogbonnaya stressed that this constant search for saviors and external validation among Igbos creates fertile ground for such exploitation. “The moment you keep looking for a savior to rescue you, the game will keep being the game,” he warned.

According to Ogbonnaya, Verydarkman’s current troubles stem from his alleged contract being canceled by his Chinese partners, a move that reportedly led him to redirect his anger toward Igbos in order to gain sympathy and remain relevant. He accused the activist of playing the victim and inciting tribal sentiments to mask his business failures. “You lack integrity and your game caught up with you. The Chinese company exposed you and you tried to change the topic to look for a scapegoat. And scapegoat is always Igbo,” he wrote.

Ogbonnaya lamented that despite repeated experiences of betrayal, many Igbos still fall into the same trap of idolizing individuals who eventually turn against them. He urged his people to stop relying on supposed national figures for validation and instead build internal unity and self-awareness. “You are always what they use to clean their image when they want to redeem themselves. If you were dying, use Igbo to reclaim yourself. They too mumu. They will fall and keep falling,” he added in frustration.

Observers note that this episode highlights a broader crisis of representation among Nigerian ethnic groups in the age of social media, where activism often blurs with self-promotion. Verydarkman, known for his fearless style, has often courted controversy with politicians, celebrities, and business figures. However, this latest clash has taken a different tone as it drags ethnic identity and national unity into what initially seemed like a personal business fallout.

Maazi Ogbonnaya’s outburst serves as both a criticism of Verydarkman’s tactics and a wake-up call to Nigerians, especially Igbos, to look beyond populist influencers and question the true motives behind loud activism. As social media continues to shape public discourse, the line between advocacy and manipulation becomes thinner, leaving followers to decide who truly speaks for them and who simply plays “the game” for personal gain.