Nigerian rapper Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, widely known as Ruggedman, has always been vocal about social issues, using his platform to advocate for justice and fairness. However, in a recent episode of the Echoo Room podcast, Ruggedman revealed why he decided to withdraw his support for the controversial self-proclaimed activist, VeryDarkMan.
Ruggedman explained that his initial support for VeryDarkMan was rooted in the activist’s efforts to expose and challenge those selling products without a NAFDAC (National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control) number, a campaign that aimed to protect consumers and uphold public safety. “I liked VeryDarkMan in the beginning when he started with the whole NAFDAC number thing,” Ruggedman shared, acknowledging the importance of the cause.
However, Ruggedman’s perspective changed as VeryDarkMan’s activism began to take a different direction. According to Ruggedman, VeryDarkMan’s recent actions have veered away from addressing significant public concerns and have instead delved into people’s private lives, particularly targeting women. This shift, Ruggedman argued, has made the activist’s approach less logical and more about personal attacks.
“When he started going personal into people’s private lives, especially with women, that to me, he is just distracting himself,” Ruggedman said, expressing his disappointment in the direction VeryDarkMan has taken. Ruggedman likened the situation to a police officer using a firearm as a first resort rather than a last one, suggesting that a more professional and measured approach is always preferable.
Ruggedman also pointed out that VeryDarkMan’s recent controversies have overshadowed his earlier efforts, with the activist now making headlines for conflicts involving celebrities like Iyabo Ojo and her daughter, rather than for his original cause. “His approach is what I don’t like anymore. He was calling out people that sell products without a NAFDAC number, that’s amazing but now what do you hear about him? Iyabo Ojo and her daughter kind of thing,” Ruggedman noted.
The rapper further referenced a specific incident where VeryDarkMan made comments about “old retired actresses” allegedly using the tragic situation involving Mohbad for clout, indirectly referring to Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh. Ruggedman emphasized that such personal attacks inevitably provoke responses, leading to unnecessary public disputes.
Ultimately, Ruggedman’s decision to stop supporting VeryDarkMan stems from a belief that activism should be about addressing societal issues in a constructive and respectful manner, rather than engaging in personal vendettas. By highlighting this shift in VeryDarkMan’s approach, Ruggedman brings attention to the importance of maintaining integrity and focus in activism, especially in a world where the line between advocacy and personal attacks can sometimes become blurred.
As the conversation around activism continues, Ruggedman’s stance serves as a reminder that the methods and intentions behind advocacy matter just as much as the causes themselves. For Ruggedman, staying true to these principles is essential, even if it means stepping away from those who no longer align with them.
