“IF DAVIDO OR HIS CREW EVER GAVE ME MONEY, BOOKED A HOTEL OR PAID FOR MY FLIGHT, THEY SHOULD PRESENT THE RECEIPTS” ACTIVIST VERYDARKMAN CHALLENGES SINGER DAVIDO TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE OF ALLEGED SUPPORT

 

 

 

VDM insists he is financially independent, while Nigerians take sides over gratitude, loyalty and whether past favours should prevent someone from criticising a former friend.

 

The controversy erupted on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, after VeryDarkMan reposted an allegation that Davido once helped him financially. The activist challenged the singer and his associates to produce evidence of any money, hotel accommodation or flight ticket allegedly provided for him, reigniting discussions about the breakdown of their once-publicised friendship.

 

HOW THE CONTROVERSY STARTED

Popular Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has challenged Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, to provide evidence of any financial assistance he or members of his crew allegedly offered him.

The latest exchange began on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, when an X user identified as Chuks, with the handle @Chuks_DNaijaGuy, took to the platform to criticise VeryDarkMan over his apparent disagreement with Davido.

The user accused the activist of forgetting the singer’s alleged kindness towards him, particularly during the period when he was gaining popularity.

In the post, Chuks wrote:

“VDM should not forget how Davido took him from the trenches back then. I remember when Davido invited him over to Lagos and lodged him in a 5-star hotel. VDM forgot so soon.”

The post quickly attracted attention because Davido and VeryDarkMan were once publicly associated, with their friendship attracting considerable attention across Nigerian social media.

For some people, Davido’s previous relationship with the activist was evidence of the singer’s generosity. Others, however, questioned whether the alleged assistance had been accurately represented.

Rather than ignore the allegation, VeryDarkMan reposted the screenshot on his Instagram Stories and directly challenged the narrative.

VERYDARKMAN’S RESPONSE: “PRESENT THE RECEIPTS”

Reacting to the allegation, VeryDarkMan demanded that Davido or anyone from his crew produce evidence if they had ever given him money, arranged hotel accommodation or paid for his flight.

In his Instagram Stories response on November 4, 2026, he wrote:

“I guess is the right time to present evidence. Him or his crew members suppose get receipt where they give me money na, or book hotel, or pay flight. Why you think say I fit call anybody out on their bullshit?

“I LIKE AS UNA DEY ALWAYS USE THIS THING CREATE UNA HAPPINESS. I NO DEY COLLECT MONEY OOOOO, GO AND ASK…. VDM GET MONEY WELL WELL THEM SELF KNOW NA.”

His response was a direct rejection of the suggestion that he owed Davido unquestionable loyalty because of alleged financial assistance.

He also appeared frustrated that whenever he criticised the singer or expressed an opinion about him, people brought up their previous association as a reason he should remain silent.

By asking for receipts, VDM was challenging those making the claims to provide verifiable evidence rather than continue repeating the allegation.

His statement, particularly the part where he insisted that he did not collect money, also reinforced his position that his relationship with Davido should not be interpreted as a financial arrangement.

However, the exchange has raised another question: what exactly happened during their earlier relationship, and why has their once-friendly association become a subject of public disagreement?

FLASHBACK: HOW DAVIDO AND VERYDARKMAN BECAME CLOSE

To understand the present disagreement, it is important to revisit October 2023, when Davido and VeryDarkMan attracted widespread attention following their meeting in Lagos.

At the time, the singer’s association with the outspoken activist generated excitement among his followers.

VeryDarkMan also shared videos from his Lagos visit, including footage showing the accommodation associated with the encounter.

In one of the videos, he proudly showed off the room, saying:

“Make I take una on a stroll. Make una see the room wey OBO booked for me. VeryDarkMan in Lagos. Don’t play.”

The video contributed significantly to the public perception that Davido had arranged his accommodation and played a financial role in bringing him to Lagos.

Their pictures together also circulated widely, with many Nigerians interpreting the singer’s willingness to associate with the activist as a demonstration of support.

However, that public perception would later become a major subject of disagreement.

VDM’S JULY 2026 CLARIFICATION: “NA ME PAY MY FLIGHT TICKET”

On July 20, 2026, VeryDarkMan addressed the long-standing claims that Davido had sponsored his trip to Lagos, paid for his hotel and contributed financially to his NGO.

In a video explaining his position, the activist said people frequently reminded him of Davido’s alleged assistance whenever he expressed an opinion about the singer.

He stated:

“Any time wey I talk something around Davido and maybe some people wey dey around Davido record, people go say, ‘After all what Davido has done for you. Davido flew you to Lagos, Davido has contributed to your NGO,’ and all those type of things.

“Well, today make I just address una. You see that time I went to Lagos to go meet Davido, na me pay for my flight ticket oo, na me pay for the hotel wey I lodge, but guess what, we just leave am like that for entertainment purposes.”

He also addressed claims that Davido had contributed to his NGO, explaining that he never requested a donation from the singer.

According to him:

“That one no true. I never ask am to make any contribution. He was the one who said he go do something, and I never ask am. Ask David if I’ve ever collected N1,000 from him before since he knows me.”

This clarification is particularly important because it shows that the disagreement did not begin with the November 4 post.

VeryDarkMan had previously attempted to correct what he described as a misleading public narrative about who paid for his trip and accommodation.

His earlier description of the hotel as one Davido booked and his later claim that he personally paid for it have also created conflicting accounts that deserve clarification.

THE DAVIDO AND VERYDARKMAN FRIENDSHIP APPEARS TO HAVE DETERIORATED

Beyond the argument about financial assistance, the relationship between both personalities has experienced a noticeable breakdown.

On Saturday, October 31, 2026, reports emerged that Davido and VeryDarkMan had unfollowed each other on Instagram.

The development followed attempts by their mutual associate, Kokopee, to mediate between the former friends.

Kokopee had spoken publicly about his efforts to resolve the disagreement, suggesting that VeryDarkMan felt betrayed by Davido.

Davido subsequently reacted to the discussion with a “cap” emoji, which many social media users interpreted as a rejection of the account.

Neither personality has provided a comprehensive public explanation establishing every detail behind the breakdown of their friendship.

Nevertheless, the mutual unfollow and their recent exchanges have strengthened the impression that the relationship has become increasingly strained.

WHAT TRIGGERED THE LATEST TENSION?

The receipts controversy also emerged against the backdrop of another disagreement involving Davido, VeryDarkMan and rapper Zlatan Ibile.

On November 4, 2026, a video circulated showing Davido enjoying Zlatan’s song INFERNO at the rapper’s wedding welcome party in Morocco.

A particular lyric, which appeared to reference VeryDarkMan’s first name and his controversial comments about masturbation, attracted attention.

The lyric was widely interpreted by social media users as a possible reference to the activist.

VeryDarkMan subsequently reacted angrily, mocking Davido and defending his earlier comments about his private life.

In the video, he said:

“I no be David Adeleke wey dey beg woman. I will rather masturbate than make I kneel down dey beg woman.”

He also defended his position, saying:

“I told you people I masturbate, I create awareness on masturbation, it’s not a new thing. What did you discover? Everything you know about me, I told you.”

Turning his attention to Zlatan, he added:

“Zlatan, I dey come now. You will learn the hard way.”

Although the lyrics generated speculation that they were directed at VeryDarkMan, there has been no independent confirmation that Zlatan intended the song as a personal attack on the activist.

Davido’s appearance singing along to the song nevertheless became another talking point in the ongoing disagreement.

 

NIGERIANS REACT: SOME DEFEND VERYDARKMAN

As expected, the latest development generated considerable engagement, with Nigerians expressing different opinions about the disagreement.

Some social media users supported VeryDarkMan’s decision to challenge the allegation, arguing that claims of financial assistance should be supported with evidence.

Their position is that being friends with a wealthy celebrity does not automatically mean that the celebrity sponsored one’s lifestyle or activities.

Others argued that financial assistance, if genuinely offered, should not become a permanent reason to demand loyalty or silence from the recipient.

Among the arguments supporting VDM’s position were:

“If someone claims Davido paid for his flight and hotel, there should be evidence to support that claim.”

“Friendship with a celebrity does not mean you must agree with everything the person does.”

“If he says he paid his own bills, people should allow him to explain his side.”

“Helping someone should not become a weapon to silence that person whenever there is a disagreement.”

“You can appreciate somebody and still disagree with them. Those two things are not the same.”

These represent the arguments on the side of VDM’s supporters, rather than verified verbatim comments from identified individuals.

OTHERS CRITICISE VERYDARKMAN, QUESTION HIS ATTITUDE

While some people supported the activist, others were less impressed with his response.

Several commenters questioned why he continued engaging with the Davido controversy, while others accused him of being unnecessarily confrontational.

Some of the actual comments captured under Instablog9ja’s Instagram post included:

“Bro rest small.”

“Ore pe, ashiere gbagbe.”

“Mr. Integrity..yeye boy.”

“Na you tell us say him pay o.”

“Dis guy is just proving a point that nobody is above him for trolling that’s why he keeps using Davido’s name cus he’s the biggest.”

The reactions show that some Nigerians believe VeryDarkMan should stop revisiting his disagreement with the singer.

Others questioned the apparent contradiction between his earlier public description of the hotel and his subsequent explanation that he personally paid for his accommodation.

The debate has therefore moved beyond the question of who paid for a flight or hotel to include questions about consistency, gratitude and the way both personalities have handled their disagreement.

DOES HELPING SOMEONE MEAN THEY MUST ALWAYS REMAIN LOYAL?

Additionally, the disagreement between Davido and VeryDarkMan has opened another conversation about friendship, generosity, gratitude and personal independence.

For Davido’s supporters, the singer’s previous association with VeryDarkMan deserves acknowledgement, and they believe the activist should be more appreciative of the relationship that once existed between them.

For VeryDarkMan’s supporters, however, past friendship should not become an obligation to defend someone indefinitely, particularly when the two parties no longer see eye to eye.

There is also an important distinction between publicly associating with someone, offering assistance and actually paying that person’s expenses. These are different things and should not automatically be treated as the same.

As of Thursday, November 5, 2026, Davido has not been reported to have publicly responded to VeryDarkMan’s latest demand for receipts.

Whether the singer or anyone from his camp will address the allegation remains to be seen.

For now, VeryDarkMan appears determined to challenge the narrative that Davido financially supported him and that he therefore owes the singer unquestionable loyalty.

Ultimately, the controversy leaves Nigerians with one important question: If someone once helped you, does that mean you must remain on their side even when your friendship has fallen apart?

And perhaps the bigger question is whether the public should stop using alleged past favours as a reason to demand silence from people who once enjoyed a close relationship with celebrities.

 

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