Oyindamola Ogunbowale
What was expected to be a gathering of legal minds at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference has taken an unexpected turn, following a public disagreement over the decision to feature social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, in a discussion on insecurity.
The controversy began after human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, questioned the decision to give VDM a platform at the conference, particularly on a subject as sensitive as national security.
Falana’s position was that a professional gathering of lawyers should ordinarily feature individuals whose experience and expertise directly align with the issues being discussed.
His comments have since triggered a response from VDM, who appeared unfazed by the criticism. Speaking at the conference in Port Harcourt, VDM defended his relevance by pointing to his record of activism and his involvement in cases and public-interest matters that have gained national attention.
The social media activist also challenged the idea that professional credentials alone should determine who is qualified to contribute to conversations about insecurity.
In his response, he questioned some of the positions offered by established figures on security-related matters, suggesting that practical experience should also count.
The exchange has introduced an unusual dimension to the NBA conference, turning part of the event into a debate over expertise, professional pedigree and the growing influence of social media voices in national conversations.
While some have questioned the appropriateness of inviting a social media personality to a specialised legal gathering, others may see VDM’s inclusion as an attempt to bring perspectives from outside the traditional professional circle into discussions affecting ordinary Nigerians.
For an event built around the legal profession, the disagreement has consequently raised a broader question: should conversations about national issues remain confined to recognised experts, or should platforms also accommodate unconventional voices with significant public influence?
The debate is likely to continue beyond the conference, particularly as VDM’s appearance and Falana’s criticism have placed the NBA’s choice of speakers under renewed public scrutiny.
