The business rivalry between entrepreneur Blord and social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has taken another turn, with content creator Peter Mbah publicly criticising the way Blord is marketing his power stations.

What Peter Mbah said

In a strongly worded statement, Peter Mbah said he was disappointed with what he called Blord's poor marketing strategy, and argued that VeryDarkMan has shown a better understanding of how to promote a product and engage customers.

He said Igbo businessmen are widely respected for their business intelligence, creativity and marketing skills, and questioned why Blord, despite his experience, seems more focused on social media confrontations than on convincing buyers of what his product can do.

Why he praised VDM

According to Peter Mbah, VeryDarkMan has documented the whole journey of his Ratel power stations, from the production process in China to the arrival of the container in Nigeria and practical tests of the units on camera.

He said this approach has drawn public attention and helped build confidence among potential buyers.

Blord was first, but VDM is louder

Peter Mbah also pointed out that Blord's power stations reportedly arrived in Nigeria before VDM's, yet VDM appears to be generating far more public discussion through his demonstrations.

He accused Blord of turning what should have been healthy business competition into a personal fight.

The bigger lesson for Nigerian entrepreneurs

Beyond the rivalry, the row raises a wider question about how products are sold today. Customers increasingly want practical proof that a product can deliver what it promises. Showing how it performs, explaining its features and answering buyers' concerns can be more persuasive than trading insults with a competitor.

In the end, though, both brands will be judged on product quality, battery capacity, durability, price and customer satisfaction.

For Peter Mbah, VeryDarkMan has already taken the lead in winning public interest.

What do you think? Has VeryDarkMan outsmarted Blord in marketing, or is Blord simply using controversy to promote his own products?

Barely 24 hours after VeryDarkMan demonstrated the performance of his Ratel power station, Blord has come out with his own claims, and Nigerians are already raising serious questions.

According to Blord, his 1,000W-rated power station can power a big refrigerator, a 128W industrial fan, a television and even a treadmill for 12 solid hours!

Wait a minute! How is that possible?

VDM tested his 1,200W-rated power station, and it lasted 5 hours and 17 minutes under the conditions of his demonstration.

Now Blord is claiming his 1,000W unit can run all those appliances for 12 hours, without showing a complete, uninterrupted test to back up the claim.

Blord, Nigerians need evidence, not just words!

However, there is something important here. A power station's watt rating tells us how much power it can deliver at once, while its battery capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh), determines how long it can run appliances. So battery life cannot be judged from the 1,000W and 1,200W ratings alone.

Blord, show us the battery capacity, connect all those appliances and let the test run for 12 hours. No editing, no shortcuts!

VDM has shown his demonstration. Nigerians are waiting to see yours.

Do you believe Blord's 12-hour claim, or should he prove it with a proper live test?

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?