VDM: The Louder You Speak for the People, the Lonelier It Gets When Power Strikes Back - Abioye Tosin Lawrence

....from fela to Sowore, from Gani Fawehinmi to countless activists 

In a country where silence is often safer than truth, VeryDarkMan, popularly known as (VDM), chose the dangerous path. He spoke. He roared. And he did it not for applause, but for justice. He stood with everyday Nigerians, fighting on their behalf against scams, abuse of power, and institutional hypocrisy. But now that he's behind bars, one must ask: Where is the love he gave so freely?

VDM didn’t come wrapped in politeness or elite packaging. He wasn't a scholar in suits or a corporate activist. He was raw, real, and sometimes rough around the edges. But in his boldness, millions found a voice they lacked. He fought battles most were too afraid to touch, daring to name names and challenge the gatekeepers of both political and social power.

Yet, like many who have dared to confront the system in Nigeria, VDM now faces a chilling silence. Beyond the hashtags and temporary outrage lies a haunting truth: when the state flexes its muscle, even the people you defended can go quiet. Whether due to fear, fatigue, or fickleness, public loyalty in Nigeria often fades when you need it most.

This isn’t just about VDM. It’s about a recurring betrayal in our national conscience. From Fela to Sowore, from Gani Fawehinmi to countless nameless activists, we have a history of watching our truth-tellers suffer alone. We raise placards when it’s convenient, but we rarely protect our own when it counts.

VDM may not be perfect, but perfection was never the point. His real offense is that he disrupted the comfort of the powerful and reminded the oppressed of their worth. And for that, he is now behind bars.

As we scroll past his name and move on with our day, let us ask ourselves: What does it say about a nation when those who speak for the voiceless are left unheard in their hour of need?

If we are ever to change the story of Nigeria, it must begin with how we treat those who risk it all to defend us. Otherwise, one day, when there’s no one left to speak for us, our silence will become our sentence.

"Abioye Tosin Lawrence — honorary general of the people's struggle and author of Voices from the Fire: My Journey Through a Hollow Empire."