Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), is again at the centre of online debate, this time over his new power station business and his broken friendship with Davido.

The swipe at Blord

In a video shared on Thursday, 29 October 2026, VDM boasted about the container power stations he has been importing from China under his Ratel brand. He said people first claimed the project would never work but were now asking how he managed it, adding that his critics had been complaining since he unveiled the container. He aimed the comments at businessman Blord, claiming he was the first to talk about the idea and that Blord rushed into a similar venture afterwards. Blord had not publicly responded at the time of writing. VDM also said each buyer would be limited to two units, and that he would not sell in bulk.

Kokopee on the Davido rift

Separately, content creator Kokopee, a close friend of VDM, said in an Instagram video on Wednesday that he acted as a go-between when the relationship between VDM and Davido began to fall apart. He said VDM felt let down by the singer and that a sense of betrayal was at the heart of the quarrel, while Davido disagreed with VDM's view of events. Kokopee declined to share the private details of their conversations and said his support for VDM had always been private advice rather than public backing. He also promised to speak later on a separate matter involving the rapper Zlatan.

How people reacted

Reactions online were mixed. Some fans praised VDM for turning to business, while others questioned whether he could sustain it. On the Davido rift, many fans urged both men to settle their differences, while others shared unproven theories about what caused the split.

Background

VDM and Davido were once seen as allies, but their friendship cooled publicly earlier this year. The activist has spent recent weeks promoting the Ratel power stations, which he showed off at a warehouse and in demonstration videos.

VeryDarkMan (VDM) deserves recognition for taking a bold approach to marketing his Ratel-branded products, particularly his newly introduced power stations.

At a time when many businesses rely heavily on advertisements, celebrity endorsements and social media publicity to attract customers, VDM has chosen to demonstrate what his products can actually do.

Rather than simply telling Nigerians how powerful and reliable his gadgets are, he has taken the initiative to publicly test their capabilities, showing potential buyers how they work and what they can expect from them.

This is a commendable business approach that other Nigerian entrepreneurs should consider adopting.

One of the biggest challenges facing consumers in Nigeria today is the difficulty of telling quality products apart from those that fail to meet expectations. Many people have spent their hard-earned money on gadgets that promised excellent performance but delivered disappointment.

That is why public product demonstrations matter. By putting his Ratel power stations to the test in front of his audience, VeryDarkMan is giving prospective customers a chance to assess their performance before buying.

Of course, a demonstration alone does not guarantee long-term durability or reliability. However, it provides a useful starting point for customers who want evidence beyond advertising claims.

There is also an important business lesson here: a company that is confident in its products should be willing to show customers what those products can do.

VDM appears to understand that building a successful brand requires more than having thousands of followers or generating excitement on social media. Customers must have reasons to trust what they are buying.

His approach could also encourage healthy competition among Nigerian businesses, particularly those selling electronic gadgets, power solutions and other consumer products. If more entrepreneurs publicly demonstrated their products under realistic conditions, buyers would be better equipped to compare options and make informed decisions.

VeryDarkMan may be known mainly for his social media activism and outspoken personality, but his latest business activities show another side of him as an entrepreneur seeking a place in Nigeria's competitive consumer market.

Whether you support VDM or disagree with his activities, one thing deserves acknowledgement: his willingness to demonstrate his products publicly is a positive example of consumer-focused marketing.

The real test will be whether the products continue to meet customers' expectations after purchase. For now, credit should be given where it is due.

Big kudos to VeryDarkMan! Nigerian entrepreneurs can learn something from this approach.

What do you think? Should companies be required to demonstrate the actual performance of their products before selling them to the public?

Popular Nigerian social media activist and businessman Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has once again got Nigerians talking after demonstrating the capabilities of his newly imported Ratel Power Station.

VeryDarkMan, who recently received a 40-foot container loaded with power stations and other gadgets from China, has begun testing the products to show potential customers what they can do.

One particular demonstration has caught the attention of many people.

In the test, the smallest model, rated at 1,200 watts, powered a television, a standing fan and a refrigerator for 5 hours 17 minutes. The TV drew 74W, the fan 50W and the fridge 150W, a total of 274W when all three were running.

And remember, this is just the smallest model in the range!

For a country like Nigeria, where unreliable electricity continues to affect homes, students, artisans and small businesses, a portable power station with such capabilities could be a useful alternative during power outages.

VDM has previously explained that his target customers include students, barbers, makeup artists and other Nigerians whose daily activities depend on electricity.

However, the demonstration has also added another chapter to the ongoing social media rivalry between VeryDarkMan and businessman Blord.

While Blord has continued promoting his own gadgets through videos and online publicity, supporters of VeryDarkMan are challenging him to demonstrate the actual performance of his products in a similar way.

And this is where the argument becomes interesting. Making promotional videos is one thing, but showing customers what a product can actually do is another.

VDM appears determined to let the performance of his products speak for itself, and his supporters are already celebrating his approach.

The box shows a battery capacity of 932Wh. A runtime of 5 hours 17 minutes fits with that, because a fridge's compressor switches on and off rather than running all the time, so the average load stays below the full 274W. Actual runtime will still vary with the appliances used and how they are used.

Nevertheless, the excitement surrounding the Ratel Power Station shows how much attention VeryDarkMan's latest business venture is attracting.

From activism and philanthropy to importing products from China, VDM is gradually expanding into commercial ventures. And as his supporters would say, VeryDarkMan is whoever he says he is!

Now, the big question is this: between VeryDarkMan's Ratel Power Station and Blord's gadgets, who is actually giving Nigerians better value for their money?

Let the products do the talking!

Popular Nigerian social media activist and philanthropist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has once again attracted public attention after visiting his warehouse to inspect a shipment of power banks and portable power stations imported from China in a 40-foot container.

During the visit, VDM explained that the products were brought into Nigeria with students, barbers, makeup artists and other small business owners in mind, particularly those who struggle daily with Nigeria's unreliable electricity supply.

According to him, many Nigerians are unable to study comfortably or run their businesses efficiently because of constant power outages.

For students, having a reliable source of electricity can make a difference when preparing for examinations, attending online classes or studying at night.

For barbers and makeup artists, electricity is equally important. Many depend on electrical equipment to earn their daily income, and every hour without power can mean losing customers and money.

VDM believes that making portable power solutions available to these groups could help reduce some of the difficulties they face.

From social media activism to business

Over the years, VeryDarkMan has built a reputation for speaking out on issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, particularly people who struggle to make ends meet. His latest business venture appears to reflect that same interest in the challenges facing low-income earners.

Rather than concentrating only on luxury products, VDM says he wants to provide practical solutions that students, artisans and small business owners can use in their everyday lives.

However, the prices, capacities and affordability of the imported products will ultimately determine how accessible they are to the people he hopes to serve.

A business idea that addresses a real Nigerian problem

Nigeria's electricity challenges have continued to place enormous pressure on households and small businesses. Many artisans spend a significant portion of their earnings on fuel, generator maintenance and alternative power sources just to stay in business.

If VDM can offer reliable portable power stations at affordable prices, the venture could become a useful option for people who cannot afford expensive solar installations or large generators.

What makes this development particularly interesting is his stated intention to combine business with solutions to everyday problems. VDM has made it clear that he intends to make money from the venture while providing products that could make life easier for Nigerians.

VDM continues to show an interest in the struggles of ordinary Nigerians, whether through his activism, humanitarian activities or business ventures. His latest move deserves attention, especially if the products eventually reach students and low-income workers at prices they can genuinely afford.

What do you think about VDM's latest business venture? Would you buy an affordable portable power station to support your studies or business?