Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
A public disagreement involving Nigerian social media activist Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), rapper Zlatan Ibile and Afrobeats singer Davido has intensified, with unresolved disagreements surrounding the death of singer Mohbad emerging as a major source of tension.
The latest exchanges have brought renewed attention to the September 2023 death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, known professionally as Mohbad, whose passing triggered widespread public demands for an investigation and accountability.
What initially centred on calls for justice has developed into a wider entertainment industry dispute involving allegations of betrayal, disputed relationships, social media exchanges and a proposed diss track.
The controversy gained fresh attention after Davido was seen singing along to Zlatan’s song INFERNO during a wedding-related event in Morocco. The song features a lyric that many listeners interpreted as a reference to VeryDarkMan.
Although Zlatan has not publicly confirmed that the lyric was directed at the activist, the incident reignited their disagreement and drew Davido further into the controversy.
Zlatan’s Song Reignites Disagreement With VeryDarkMan
The latest tension centres on INFERNO, a collaboration involving Zlatan, Peruzzi and Shoday.
A particular lyric in the song references the name Vincent and has been widely interpreted on social media as a jab at VeryDarkMan, who has previously made public comments about masturbation.
VDM responded with criticism directed at Zlatan, mocking the rapper’s album promotion and wedding publicity.
In one of his social media posts, the activist questioned whether the rapper’s album had achieved the attention he expected despite the publicity surrounding his wedding.
He also challenged Zlatan to keep the song at the top of Apple Music Nigeria’s chart for an entire month.
The exchange attracted attention because the disagreement extends beyond the latest song, with both personalities having been associated with controversies surrounding the campaign for justice for Mohbad.
VeryDarkMan Explains Fallout With Davido
Beyond the disagreement over Zlatan’s song, VeryDarkMan has provided his account of how his relationship with Davido deteriorated.
In a video shared on November 5, 2026, the activist said the campaign for justice for Mohbad initially brought him closer to the Afrobeats star.
According to VDM, Davido followed him on social media in 2024, which eventually led to a friendly relationship between them.
He recalled supporting Davido by promoting some of his music and maintaining communication with the singer through direct messages.
However, he said the relationship changed after he obtained WhatsApp conversations in 2025 that allegedly involved individuals within Davido’s circle and other entertainment personalities.
VDM claimed the conversations suggested that some people were discussing efforts connected to his arrest in 2024, which he linked to his activism and persistent questions about Mohbad’s death.
The activist said he was particularly disappointed because he had maintained friendly relationships with some of the individuals allegedly involved in the conversations.
He also claimed that he repeatedly attempted to contact Davido to establish whether the singer knew about the discussions but received no satisfactory explanation.
VDM further alleged that a blog associated with people within the singer’s circle accused him of attempting to record a conversation with Davido for blackmail purposes.
He described the development as a betrayal, arguing that he had only wanted an explanation about the alleged discussions.
However, the WhatsApp conversations and the activist’s interpretation of them have not been independently verified. His allegations should therefore not be treated as established evidence of Davido’s involvement in any plan to have him arrested.
Davido’s Camp Rejects Allegations
Davido’s camp has pushed back against the allegations through the singer’s logistics manager, Israel Afeare, popularly known as Israel DMW.
In a statement shared on social media on November 6, Israel denied that Davido had any involvement in the alleged plan to have VeryDarkMan arrested.
He maintained that individuals who participated in the WhatsApp group did so without Davido’s instructions, knowledge or approval.
Israel also rejected claims that Davido sought to acquire Mohbad’s music catalogue or attempted to sign Zinoleesky, who was previously associated with Marlian Records.
He questioned why the singer would have involved himself in such matters and described the information allegedly given to VDM as false.
Addressing Davido’s relationship with Naira Marley during the controversy surrounding Mohbad’s death, Israel said the singer resisted pressure to unfollow the Marlian Records boss on Instagram.
According to him, Davido preferred to allow the police to conduct their investigation rather than make decisions based on unverified claims.
Israel also maintained that Davido and Naira Marley remained on good terms and had collaborated musically.
His statement represents the response from Davido’s camp, although Davido himself had not directly addressed the latest allegations in the reports reviewed. Punch Newspapers +1
Zlatan and VDM’s Disagreement Goes Beyond the Song
The dispute between VeryDarkMan and Zlatan also has a history connected to the public reaction following Mohbad’s death.
VDM has previously criticised Zlatan for what he considered insufficient public involvement in the campaign demanding accountability over the singer’s death.
The activist also accused the rapper of benefiting from the attention surrounding the controversy through the promotion of their collaborative song, Account Balance.
These criticisms have contributed to the strained relationship between the two personalities.
The latest disagreement over INFERNO has now brought those earlier grievances back into public discussion.
Zlatan, meanwhile, appeared to respond to the activist through a cryptic post on X.
The rapper wrote:
“You can’t complain about someone giving you a taste of your own medicine when you were the one who prescribed the dose.”
Although the post did not explicitly mention VeryDarkMan, it was widely interpreted as a response to the ongoing exchange.
The disagreement has also attracted reactions from social media users, with some supporting VDM’s position and others questioning why the dispute has continued to expand.
VDM Previews Diss Track Targeting Davido
The controversy took another turn when VeryDarkMan shared a preview of a diss track titled On My Knees on Instagram on November 4.
The preview appeared to target Davido and included a reference to Zlatan’s signature expression, “kapaichumarimarichupako”.
The proposed musical response has added another dimension to the disagreement, moving the controversy beyond social media criticism and into music.
As of November 5, the track had not been released on major streaming platforms, according to Punch’s report.
Its eventual release, if confirmed, could further intensify the public exchange between the personalities.
However, the preview alone does not establish whether the song will receive an official commercial release.
Mohbad’s Death Remains at the Centre of the Controversy
Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 27, triggering widespread reactions across Nigeria and beyond.
His death generated questions about the circumstances surrounding his passing, his experiences while associated with Marlian Records and the people who interacted with him before his death.
The controversy also brought several entertainment personalities, activists and public figures into discussions about accountability.
VeryDarkMan became one of the prominent social media voices demanding answers, while public attention extended to Naira Marley, Samklef, Zlatan and other figures connected to the Nigerian music industry.
The Lagos State Coroner’s Inquest subsequently examined the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death. In July 2025, Radio Nigeria Lagos reported that the inquest identified medical negligence and recommended prosecution and institutional reforms. The report also noted that a definitive cause of death could not be established. Radio Nigeria Lagos
The continuing disagreements among entertainment personalities demonstrate how the controversy has extended beyond the original investigation into Mohbad’s death.
However, public disagreements and accusations between celebrities should not be confused with the findings of a judicial or police investigation.
Why the Feud Matters to Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry
The disagreement has attracted attention because it involves three influential personalities with significant followings across Nigeria’s entertainment and social media communities.
Davido is one of Afrobeats’ internationally recognised performers, Zlatan has established himself as a prominent figure in Nigerian street-hop music, while VeryDarkMan has built a substantial online audience through activism and public criticism of influential individuals.
Their disagreement therefore has implications beyond personal relationships.
It has renewed conversations about celebrity influence, accountability, the use of social media to resolve personal disagreements and the responsibilities of public figures when discussing sensitive issues.
More importantly, the controversy has once again placed Mohbad’s death at the centre of entertainment industry discussions.
For many Nigerians who demanded justice following the singer’s death, the priority remains credible answers and accountability rather than prolonged disputes between celebrities.
What Happens Next?
The immediate direction of the disagreement will depend largely on whether the individuals involved choose to address the allegations publicly or allow the controversy to subside.
Attention will also remain on whether VeryDarkMan releases his proposed diss track and whether Davido or Zlatan responds directly to his latest statements.
Davido’s camp has already rejected allegations linking the singer to an alleged plan to have the activist arrested, while VDM maintains that his grievances are connected to events surrounding the campaign for justice for Mohbad.
For now, the alleged WhatsApp conversations remain unverified publicly, and the competing accounts have not established the involvement of the individuals accused.
The controversy also serves as a reminder that the demand for justice following Mohbad’s death should remain separate from personal disagreements within the entertainment industry.
Weng Global will continue to follow developments surrounding the dispute and any further responses from the personalities involved.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
- Punch Newspapers – Mohbad’s death, old grievances fuel VDM, Zlatan, Davido feud.
- Punch Newspapers – Davido had no role in Naira Marley, VDM Mohbad saga — Aide.
- Daily Post Nigeria – Davido clears air on Naira Marley, VDM arrest plot.
- Radio Nigeria Lagos – Coroner’s Inquest on Mohbad’s Death Recommends Prosecution, Institutional Reforms.
