Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has defended his invitation to speak at the Nigerian Bar Association conference.
Otse reacted on Friday after human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, questioned his invitation to discuss national security at the NBA conference. The activist spoke in a video shared on his social media page. He said Falana’s comments helped him understand why some people opposed his appearance at the event.
Otse described the criticism as “classism”. He argued that some people looked down on his background because he was invited to speak before members of the legal profession.
“The problem these people have is that the son of a nobody was invited to come and speak where elites are seated,” he said.
VDM defends his experience
Otse said his personal experiences with insecurity qualified him to contribute to the discussion. He explained that he had witnessed situations that some security experts might not have seen themselves.
“Lately in the last few years, I have been present where all these things have happened. I have seen things that a lot of security experts have not seen. This is not about book. It’s not about book. It’s about experience,” he said.
The activist also argued that security affects every Nigerian, regardless of social status. According to him, ordinary Nigerians should have a voice in discussions about insecurity. He said they often bear the greatest burden when security fails.
“Security is for everybody. Security is not for some set of people. And this has been the problem,” he said.
Otse said he used his appearance at the conference to highlight the experiences of Nigerians affected by insecurity.
“I spoke on behalf of the poor masses. I spoke on behalf of the poor people. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice,” he said.
Falana questions NBA invitation
The controversy followed Falana’s criticism of the NBA’s decision to invite Otse to its 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. Speaking with Channels Television on Thursday, Falana said conference speakers should have relevant knowledge or experience in the subjects they discuss.
He specifically questioned the choice of a speaker without direct experience in the country’s security architecture to address lawyers on national security. Falana said the NBA previously invited experts and accomplished professionals to its conferences. Their presentations, he noted, often provided useful knowledge and generated wider public debate.
However, he acknowledged that lawyers could engage members of the public on issues such as justice delivery. He maintained that specialised topics such as national security require speakers with relevant experience.
VDM reacts to Falana
Reacting to Falana’s comments, Otse said he did not expect the senior lawyer to question his invitation.
“I wasn’t expecting this angle from Femi Falana SAN, but well, it is what it is,” he said.
The disagreement has since sparked debate over the type of speakers professional bodies should invite to major conferences. Falana has focused on expertise and direct knowledge of specialised subjects. In contrast, Otse believes firsthand experience also gives ordinary Nigerians a valid voice in discussions about insecurity.
Read also: Falana Rejects Defence of VDM’s Conference Role, Demands Experienced Speakers
