Nigerian social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has confirmed that he will visit Iwo, Osun State, on July 15, 2026, following an official invitation from His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, the Oluwo of Iwoland.
In a post shared on his official social media pages, VDM disclosed that he recently had a video call with the monarch, during which they discussed the state of the nation and other pressing national and social issues for more than two hours. According to him, the conversation later led to the royal invitation for a physical meeting in Iwo to continue the discussions.
VDM also revealed that the visit would be his first trip to Iwo, expressing excitement about meeting the people of the ancient town.
In the invitation, the Oluwo of Iwoland, widely known for his modern approach to traditional leadership, commended VDM’s advocacy for transparency and accountability. The monarch acknowledged his campaign against corruption within traditional institutions and government, noting that his activities through the Ratel Movement have attracted national attention and deserve royal engagement.
The monarch also confirmed the invitation in a statement posted on his official Facebook page, explaining that the visit is intended to facilitate a face-to-face discussion on issues of national importance. According to the Oluwo, the meeting will focus on national cohesion and integration, security, the promotion of collective identity, good governance, and other matters affecting Nigeria.
The announcement has generated mixed reactions across social media. While many Nigerians described the invitation as a well-deserved recognition of VDM’s contributions to national discourse and activism, others questioned the purpose and possible outcome of the meeting.
VDM remains one of Nigeria’s most influential and controversial social media personalities. Popularly known as the “online police,” he has built a large following for speaking against injustice, corruption, abuse of power, and other social issues, although his methods continue to generate public debate.
The planned visit further reflects the Oluwo of Iwoland’s commitment to promoting dialogue, national unity, and engagement with influential voices on issues affecting Nigeria.
