VDM’s Final Jab at Phyna: “Greed Was the Problem – Her Sister Would Still Be Alive If Not For That” – Activist Responds Amid Backlash Over Ruth’s Death
In a explosive video response that’s reignited the fiery feud between activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) and BBNaija star Phyna, the controversial crusader has doubled down on accusations of greed, claiming Phyna’s pursuit of massive compensation from the Dangote Group directly contributed to her sister Ruth Otabor’s tragic death. Speaking directly to the camera in a clip circulating widely on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), VDM stated, “To Phyna, greed was the problem, her sister would still be alive if not for that,” while announcing he’s stepping back from protests in Auchi, Edo State, allowing Dangote operations to resume unchecked. The remarks, delivered just days after Ruth’s passing on August 31, have drawn sharp criticism for insensitivity but also support from those who believe VDM exposed systemic failures in the high-profile accident case.
Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VDM, had been a vocal ally in the saga since Phyna reached out to him on August 14 following the horrific crash that crushed 21-year-old Ruth’s leg near Auchi Polytechnic. The recent Auchi Polytechnic graduate and mother of two underwent amputation and battled complications to her chest, pelvis, lungs, and reproductive organs before succumbing at Lagoon Hospital in Lagos despite promises of an airlift to India. VDM led student protests blocking Dangote trucks, demanding accountability for the allegedly unlicensed driver and vowing to shut down operations if Ruth’s condition worsened. However, the partnership imploded when VDM accused Phyna of secretly meeting Dangote representatives without him, prioritizing a ₦1 billion payout over urgent medical aid, scholarships for Ruth’s children, and support for the biker involved – details he claims she hid from the public.
In his latest response, VDM elaborated on the betrayal, saying Phyna’s “greediness” delayed critical interventions: “If I had been at that meeting, we wouldn’t talk about money first – it would be treatment, scholarships, and justice.” He shared screenshots of alleged chats and a demand list topping ₦1 billion, sarcastically wishing Phyna well in her pursuits while declaring, “I will not come to Auchi again to stop Dangote trucks… Dangote can enjoy freely.” The video, which has amassed over 100,000 views, ties into his earlier Instagram write-ups where he blasted Phyna as a “manipulator” for leaking private info and focusing on financial gain amid Ruth’s suffering. Phyna, real name Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, hit back by calling VDM a “liar” who ignored her calls and sensationalized the tragedy for clout, insisting she sought his help as a “brother” for awareness, not confrontation.
The backlash has been swift and divided. Supporters of VDM, including some Phynation defectors, argue his intervention forced Dangote to cover bills initially, tweeting sentiments like “Greed is the reason why your sister lost her life – VDM to Phyna.” Critics, led by content creator Izzy Ogbeide, who went live with Phyna earlier, slammed VDM for “removing sympathy from the family” and turning a family crisis