Popular social media commentator Martins Otse, also known as Verydarkman (VDM), has reacted to the outrage over suspended Nigerian Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan‘s recent speech at the United Nations. Natasha has been at the center of online discussions after presenting her case to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) during a Women in Parliament session at the UN in New York.
She reported her suspension from the Nigerian Senate and accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of injustice, including an alleged sexual assault—claims which Akpabio has denied. Responding to the viral clip of Natasha’s address, VDM commended her for speaking up but criticized her for taking the issue to the UN, an institution that does not have direct jurisdiction over the Nigerian Senate.
“You are running after shadows. The UN you went to report to can do nothing,” he said in a video.
VDM argued that Natasha is receiving poor advice and suggested that she should instead build a strong support system within Nigeria to fight against the injustices she claims to face. While some Nigerians praised Natasha for taking her fight to an international stage, others agreed with VDM, stating that she should have explored more effective legal and political avenues within Nigeria.
He advised her in his video caption to “play the game” carefully, suggesting that she would be better served by politic maneuvers than by appealing for outside help.
