Social media activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has continued his public exchange with singer Zlatan Ibile, daring him to openly deny claims that he secretly sent celebrities to plead with VDM over their ongoing disagreement.

"Just come out and say it's a lie"

Speaking partly in Pidgin, VDM said, in effect: "It's been over 24 hours since I dared Zlatan to come out and say I'm lying that he sent people to beg me. He acts like a hard guy in public, but does something else behind the scenes."

"Just come out and say it's a lie, simple! Let me call out the names of the celebrities you sent. If they deny it too, then you'll see what my next post will be."

He added that he was only holding back out of respect for Zlatan's parents: "It's because your mother and father are involved. We still respect parents here. If not, everyone would already know that you have no class."

Tough in public, soft in private?

VDM claims Zlatan is acting tough in public while making moves behind the scenes to settle the matter, and has threatened to name the celebrities he says were sent if Zlatan stays silent.

The feud began after a video of Davido singing a line from Zlatan's song INFERNO at Zlatan's wedding welcome party in Morocco, a lyric VDM believes was aimed at him. VDM then warned Zlatan that he would "learn the hard way".

Allegations, not facts

For now, these remain VeryDarkMan's claims. Zlatan has not responded publicly, and his silence does not confirm them.

Over to you

Will Zlatan respond, or will he let VDM keep controlling the conversation?

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reportedly promised a ₦10 million reward to each councillor in Nigeria whose ward votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

What he said

Wike made the pledge during a political engagement in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, according to reports on Monday, 9 November 2026. He also praised his Rainbow Coalition, saying it was bringing together politicians from across the country, and urged residents of Kwali and the wider FCT to back the President's re-election, arguing that a second term would bring more development to Abuja.

Background

Wike, a former Rivers governor and PDP chieftain, leads the Rainbow Coalition of politicians from the PDP and other parties backing Tinubu. He has been one of the President's most vocal campaigners, frequently criticising opposition candidates Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar.

Why it matters

INEC this week also warned political actors against inflammatory rhetoric ahead of the elections.

What happens next

The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has condemned the use of the slogan 'rig and die' by some political actors ahead of the 2027 elections.

What INEC said

Speaking at a forum in Enugu for journalists and media executives from the South-East, South-South and South-West, reported on Monday, 9 November 2026, INEC National Commissioner Mohammed Kudu Haruna said threats and inflammatory language could endanger presiding officers, temporary election staff, party agents and observers. He urged anyone who disputes an election result to use lawful channels, including complaints to INEC or security agencies and the courts. He also warned that election officials, including ad hoc staff, would face legal consequences if found to have compromised the process.

Background

The 'rig and die' slogan has been used by some opposition supporters to warn against electoral fraud, but critics say it can be read as a threat of violence. INEC recently said it had uncovered a plot to threaten and kidnap election workers, with suspects arrested and charged. Violence has already been reported at several campaign events, including a clash at an NDC rally in Asaba in which one person died.

What happens next

Haruna called for closer cooperation between INEC and the media to counter misinformation before the elections, which begin with the presidential poll on 16 January 2027.

Pastor Tunde Bakare, leader of the Citadel Global Community Church, says President Bola Tinubu offered him a ministerial position, which he turned down.

What he said

Speaking at an event in Leicester, United Kingdom, on Sunday, 8 November 2026, Bakare said he told the President he was too old for the demands of the office and would rather work quietly in the background. He said he offered instead to give advice and raise concerns wherever he believed government policy had fallen short. He insisted that not being in the cabinet did not make him part of the opposition, describing his approach as a 'propositional platform' focused on identifying problems and proposing solutions.

Background

Bakare was Muhammadu Buhari's running mate in the 2011 presidential election and sought the APC presidential ticket in 2022, which Tinubu won. He has been an outspoken commentator on national affairs for decades and has had a mixed relationship with successive governments.